Agave plants grow in semi-arid regions and are used for mescal production. However, agave fiber by-products are considered waste materials. Thus, we tested agave fiber as a filter media and biofilm material carrier for removing pollutants from municipal wastewater. Three laboratory-scale biofiltration reactors were used in two trials with five hydraulic loading rates (HLRs = 0.27, 0.54, 0.80, 1.07 and 1.34 m3 m−2 d−1). One series was conducted using mechanical aeration (0.62 m3 m−2 h−1). To prevent compaction, decreasing pressure and clogging of the filter media, 4, 8 and 12 internal divisions were evaluated in the biofilter column. After 17 months of continuous operation at an HLR of 0.80 m3 m−2 d−1, the removal efficiencies of the aerated biofilters were 92.0% biochemical oxygen demand, 79.7% chemical oxygen demand, 98.0% helminth eggs, 99.9% fecal coliforms and 91.9% total suspended solids. Statistical analysis showed that the chosen operational parameters significantly influenced the removal efficiencies of the biofilters. The effluent quality obtained under these conditions complied with the Mexican and US EPA standards for agricultural irrigation and green spaces, except for coliforms, which is why the effluents must be disinfected. Thus, agave fiber is a favorable choice for use as a packing material in biofiltration processes.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
August 01 2013
Performance of a biofilter system with agave fiber filter media for municipal wastewater treatment
Juan Manuel Vigueras-Cortés;
Juan Manuel Vigueras-Cortés
1Environmental Laboratory of Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, CIIDIR IPN Unidad Durango, Sigma 119, Frac. 20 de Noviembre II, 34220, Durango, Dgo, México
Search for other works by this author on:
Ignacio Villanueva-Fierro;
1Environmental Laboratory of Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, CIIDIR IPN Unidad Durango, Sigma 119, Frac. 20 de Noviembre II, 34220, Durango, Dgo, México
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Marco Antonio Garzón-Zúñiga;
Marco Antonio Garzón-Zúñiga
2Mexican Institute of Water Technology, Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Jiutepec, Mor., 62550, México
Search for other works by this author on:
José de Jesús Návar-Cháidez;
José de Jesús Návar-Cháidez
1Environmental Laboratory of Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, CIIDIR IPN Unidad Durango, Sigma 119, Frac. 20 de Noviembre II, 34220, Durango, Dgo, México
Search for other works by this author on:
Isaías Chaires-Hernández;
Isaías Chaires-Hernández
1Environmental Laboratory of Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, CIIDIR IPN Unidad Durango, Sigma 119, Frac. 20 de Noviembre II, 34220, Durango, Dgo, México
Search for other works by this author on:
César Hernández-Rodríguez
César Hernández-Rodríguez
3Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del IPN, Unidad Profesional “Lázaro Cárdenas”, Prolongación Manuel M. Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Col. Santo Tomás, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, 11340, México D.F., México
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Sci Technol (2013) 68 (3): 599–607.
Article history
Received:
October 26 2012
Accepted:
March 25 2013
Citation
Juan Manuel Vigueras-Cortés, Ignacio Villanueva-Fierro, Marco Antonio Garzón-Zúñiga, José de Jesús Návar-Cháidez, Isaías Chaires-Hernández, César Hernández-Rodríguez; Performance of a biofilter system with agave fiber filter media for municipal wastewater treatment. Water Sci Technol 1 August 2013; 68 (3): 599–607. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2013.285
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
eBook
Pay-Per-View Access
$38.00