Nitrate removal from groundwater using fixed bed denitrification reactors | |
| Author | Paudyal, Ishwori Prasad |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. EV-97-33 |
| Subject(s) | Groundwater--Purification Water--Purification--Nitrogen removal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. EV-97-33 |
| Abstract | Nitrate removal from groundwater has become essential in many countries of the World. Groundwater contamination with nitrate is one of the current major environmental problems being faced by numerous cities. The biological denitrification process can be an attractive nitrate removal technique. This research describes the operational aspects of biological denitrification through laboratory scale experiment. The experiments were conducted in two fixed bed reactors using anthracite and polypropylene pellets as bed materials and ethanol as carbon source. The aim of the research was to evaluate the two media on the basis ofN03-N removal efficiency, ease of operation, volume of backwash water demand and excess sludge production. The start-up period has been shortened by the use of an inoculate. During the period careful backwashing was done to eliminate the short-circuiting caused by accumulated nitrogen gas. After start-up reactors were backwashed with air and water for pellets and only with water for anthracite. The operating conditions and results of this research indicated satisfactory performance of both media in removing N03-N from the groundwater below the permissible level of 10 mg/I N03-N /I in drinking water as recommended by WHO. However, on the basis of operational aspects less volume of backwash water demand, less excess sludge production, pellets indicate comparative excellence. The performance of the pellets may be further improved through suitable arrangement for release of entrapped nitrogen gas efficiently from the reactor. |
| Year | 1997 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. EV-97-33 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Takizawa, Satoshi |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ishibashi, Yoshinpobu Preeda Parkpian |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | WHO;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997 |