POTENTIAL OF THE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER USING GRANULAR-BED FILTERS WITH AN INERT MEDIUM

Introduction. The modern wastewater treatment process flow involves the use of granular-bed filters with an inert medium, which make it possible to increase the degree of treatment regarding biologically treated wastewater by removing suspended solids and partially reduce the concentration of organic substances. Filters for advanced treatment are quite expensive. This may be a reason for the fact they are not included in the recommended best available technologies. Methods. Technologies and designs of some filters open the possibility to use these filters to solve integrated tasks: not only to improve the degree of treatment by removing organic substances and suspended solids but also to remove such nutrients as nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which is very important at present. With this approach, the importance of filters in the process flow increases significantly. Results. The most significant result was obtained using “dry” filters. Studies of dry filtration show that, with the use of granular-bed filters with synthetic expanded medium, it is possible to ensure the enhanced removal of nitrogen compounds. With the appropriate design of filters and technological parameters of the filtering mode, unique tasks can be performed, including the removal of phosphates and ammonium ion to achieve maximum allowable concentrations in fishery water bodies. Conclusion. The involvement of filters, providing the enhanced removal of a wide range of pollutants, in the modern process flow will effectively solve the current problems of wastewater treatment. Each element of the process flow will be able to operate in an optimal mode. The technological importance and economic attractiveness of filters will increase. Besides, filters will perform the role of a barrier: they will stabilize the operation of a wastewater treatment system in general.