Keywords

septic tank, drainfield, denitrification, tire crumb, saw dust, newspaper

Abstract

The presence of nitrates and phosphorus in ground water is a worldwide problem. A septic tank with drainfield that is conventionally designed does not typically remove nitrogen in the form of nitrates. The main risks are in "Blue baby" syndrome and suspected carcinogenic effect of nitrates on humans and the nutrient enrichment of receiving waters. In some areas nitrate and phosphorus removal are essentially required. Thus the information in this report concentrates on using media in the drainfield for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Extensive work has been conducted in the past few decades in order to find suitable media for denitrification with high selectivity towards nitrogen. Column experiments were conducted at the University of Central Florida to simulate the actual septic tank drainfield using mixes of fine sand. In one of the columns Sawdust and Tire Crumb were added to the Sand (STS) and in the other column Paper and Tire Crumb were added to the Sand (STP). Tire crumb was added as a carbon source required for better denitrification and for sorption. The columns were dosed daily using regular septic tank effluent and it was a continuous batch system. Samples were taken after a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 hours and comparisons were made of the effluent with the influent to show percentage removal of nitrogen (nitrates, ammonia and total nitrogen), phosphorus (ortho-phosphorus and total phosphorus) and BOD. STS and STP columns showed more than 90% removal for all parameters (nitrates, ammonia, total nitrogen, ortho-phosphorus, total phosphorus, BOD). The results indicate that the investigated media blend (Black and GoldTM Nugget Mix) has the potential for successful application in full scale operations. It is recommended that Black and GoldTM Nugget Mix be used to achieve the required removal of the nutrients.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2007

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Wanielista, Martin

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Degree Program

Environmental Engineering

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0001824

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0001824

Language

English

Release Date

September 2007

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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