Coarse media filtration for enhanced primary treatment of municipal wastewater

In these experimental studies enhanced primary treatment in coarse media filters has been evaluated. The coarse media used in the filters have been plastic carriers normally used for moving bed bioreactors, a Kaldnes carrier K1 with density < 1 g/cm³ (K1L) and a bigger carrier K2, that was used both in a lighter, floating (K2L) version and a heavier, sinking one (K2H). The results demonstrated that media characteristics significantly influenced filter performance. The dosing of a high MW and high charge cationic polymer was, however, found to have an even greater effect on treatment efficiency and especially on head loss development. Both filters were found to be feasible for enhanced primary treatment at high filtration rates (20-30 m/h) especially when dosing low dosages (1-3 mg/l) of polymer. The combination of two media into a dual media filter might take the advantages of both. Further experiments were carried out on a dual media filter consisting of lighter K1L media and heavier K2H media. It was indeed found that the K1L+K2H up-flow filter resulted in better performances in terms of water production when an optimised backwash procedure was taken into account.