COD Removal efficiency in a trickling filter using polypropylene bottle caps as filter media
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36829/08ASA.v20i1.2142Keywords:
domestic wastewater, trickling filter, chemical oxygen demand, recycled polypropylene, filter media, biological treatmentAbstract
This study evaluated chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency in a single-stage trickling filter using polypropylene bottle caps as filter media. The experimental unit, measuring 3 m in height and 0.60 m in diameter, operated by gravity without recirculation at the "Ing. Arturo Pazos Sosa" wastewater treatment pilot plant. The filter bed contained 57,312 randomly distributed caps. Influent and effluent COD concentrations were determined in nine sampling events in accordance with Method 106B of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Average COD concentrations were 396.22 mg/L in the influent and 195.89 mg/L in the effluent. Average removal efficiency was 50.94% (51% when rounded), with values ranging from 21% to 63%. The average flow rate was 0.085 L/s; its narrow range of variation prevented evaluation of its effect. The filter demonstrated the capacity to reduce COD at an experimental scale.
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