Title

Modeling the system dynamics for nutrient removal in an innovative septic tank media filter

Authors

Authors

Z. M. Xuan; N. B. Chang;M. Wanielista

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Bioprocess. Biosyst. Eng.

Keywords

On-site wastewater treatment; Septic tank drainfield; Nutrient removal; System dynamics model; NATURAL SYSTEMS; FLOW; Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Engineering, Chemical

Abstract

A next generation septic tank media filter to replace or enhance the current on-site wastewater treatment drainfields was proposed in this study. Unit operation with known treatment efficiencies, flow pattern identification, and system dynamics modeling was cohesively concatenated in order to prove the concept of a newly developed media filter. A multicompartmental model addressing system dynamics and feedbacks based on our assumed microbiological processes accounting for aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions in the media filter was constructed and calibrated with the aid of in situ measurements and the understanding of the flow patterns. Such a calibrated system dynamics model was then applied for a sensitivity analysis under changing inflow conditions based on the rates of nitrification and denitrification characterized through the field-scale testing. This advancement may contribute to design such a drainfield media filter in household septic tank systems in the future.

Journal Title

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering

Volume

35

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

545

Last Page

552

WOS Identifier

WOS:000303053900007

ISSN

1615-7591

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