Wastewater treatment

Micropollutants

Advanced technologies for the elimination of micropollutants:

BIOZONE®, PACOPUR®, CARBOPUR®

sustainable solutions. for a better life.

Micropollutants – tiny causes, huge effects.

The discussions regarding micropollutants, which are substances that occur in very low concentrations (ng/l to μg/l) in water, first com-
menced in around 2000. These micropollutants are mostly not new, but their existence could only first be proven with the availability of
steadily more effective analytical methodology.

Owing to increasing industrialisation, population density and medication use, a growing number of micropollutants such as hormone-
active (endocrine) and pharmaceutical substances, chemicals and pesticides are entering our eco-systems. Above all, this takes place
via wastewater disposal and can thus cause damage in this area.

Municipal wastewater treatment plants are not the sole path of input for micropollutants, but
certainly the main one.
Especially in industrialised and heavily populated countries, the
concentrations of micropollutants in many water sources exceed
the legal requirements laid down in environmental quality stand-
ards.
Micropollutants include a wide range of sub-
Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, the UK, the Nether- stances of mainly anthropogenic origin and
lands and the Scandinavian nations are all already discussing, or infiltrate both surface and underground water
have, statutes regarding the elimination of micropollutants in water reserves in a number of differing ways.
with the aim of safeguarding both aquatic eco-systems and drink-
ing water resources.

Although micropollutants occur

in our rivers and lakes in miniscule
concentrations, they can destabilise
organisms and entire eco-systems.

One known example is provided

by fish, in which hormone-active
(endocrine) substances can lead to
chaos in the hormone household
and thus result in the feminisation
of the males in the species.

2
 It’s time to take action.
Advanced wastewater treatment
for the removal of micropollutants.
We leave a cocktail of Anticonvulsants
Beta-blockers (tranquilisers)
chemical compounds 5%
1% Antibiotics + antimetabolites
3%
in wastewater.
Biocides/pesticides/herbicides 1%

The diagram on the right shows an anal-

ysis of the micropollutants in the waste-
water at a municipal treatment plant in Corrosion inhibitors
Switzerland. 16%

Lipid reducer
The bad news: (cholesterol reducer)
While to date state of the art mechanical/ 1%
biological treatment plants were focused
mainly on the elimination of nutrients (car-
bon, nitrogen and phosphorus), their barri- X-ray contrast agent
ers against organic micropollutants are in- 4%
sufficient.

Industrial chemicals (BPA)

The good news: 6%
Painkillers
Proven technologies are already available 63%
that can be used to great effect in this area.
These consist of oxidative, adsorptive and
physical processes, and their combination.
WABAG possesses expertise in all of these
areas.

Diclofenac as an example:
This substance is frequently employed in
painkillers, cannot be adsorbed by ac-
tivated sludge and is only partially bio-
logically degradable. Therefore, it can-
not be quantitatively removed by means
of conventional treatment technologies.

Ozonation & Adsorption

BIOZONE® - PACOPUR®
Ozonation BIOZONE® - CARBOPUR®
BIOZONE®
Pioneering work by WABAG
For more than a decade, we have been involved in R&D aimed at
the elimination of micropollutants.
As a result, WABAG is one of the few companies able to offer all
Adsorption
the relevant technologies such as ozonation and activated carbon PACOPUR®
adsorption, as well as their combination. CARBOPUR®

3
Experience is the source of our certainty.

Advanced processes for the elimination of micropollutants, which

we have been employing for around 50 years in the treatment
of drinking water and consist primarily of the oxidation process,
activated carbon adsorption and innovative filtration technologies,
are now ready for use in adapted form in wastewater treatment.

All WABAG technologies fulfil every plant requirement with

regard to the removal of micropollutants:

Extensive broadband effect

�
High micropollutants elimination efficiency
�
The avoidance of problematic by-products and large quantities
�
of residuals
Smooth integration into existing process chains
�
Straightforward operational management
�

What makes WABAG

a preferred partner?
The company is a pioneer with regard to the removal of
�
micropollutants from wastewater - providing experience in
process engineering, installation and operational management.

Comprehensive expertise in the oxidation process field

�
(incl. AOP), as well as adsorption, filtration and membrane
technology, and high-performance biological processes.

A profound understanding of the entire process chain as a

�
supplier of complete solutions.

Proven experience in the construction and operation of plants

�
equipped with innovative technologies.

Top quality completion standards.

�

Special capabilities with regard to the retrofitting and upgrading

�
of existing treatment plants.

Support throughout the plant life cycle from consulting,

�
design, engineering, construction and commissioning to
operational management.

Comprehensive, international competence in the

�
treatment of drinking and wastewater (over
1,200 plants installed since 1995).

4
Innovative technologies as part of complete solutions.

The processes in overview.

Ozonation
The addition of ozone breaks up
the complex compounds of the
micropollutants, which thereby
lose their harmful effect and can be
subsequently partially degraded by
biological means.

BIOZONE® Ozonation Filtration

Activated carbon adsorption

Micropollutants are adsorbed
on the large activated carbon
surface (adsorbents) and are thus
eliminated along with the activated
carbon.

PACOPUR®
CARBOPUR® Adsorption Filtration

Ozonation and activated carbon adsorption

This represents a combination of
the two aforementioned processes.
Adsorption following ozonation takes
place using either powdered, or
granulated activated carbon (PAC or
GAC).

BIOZONE®-PACOPUR® Ozonation Adsorption Filtration

BIOZONE®-CARBOPUR®

All of these processes are suitable for both, new treatment plants, or the later extension of
existing treatment plants.
The retrofitting of existing plants Additional benefits:
The technologies can be used for the relatively simple One positive side-effect of the additional phases is the
�
retrofitting of existing treatment plants. The choice of tech- partially marked improvement in treatment performance
nology depends upon: with regard to turbidity, TSS, COD, NH4, NO2 and
� The wastewater composition (micropollutants content) phosphorous.
� The space available The processes employed can form a technically
�
� The existing infrastructure important process step in water reclamation systems or
improve the preconditions for water reuse.

5
 PAC Floc.

from
BIOZONE® secondary
clarifier
treated
water
recirculation to activated sludge stage

OZONATION

O3
CHARACTERISTICS:
The chemical oxidation of the micropollutants, PROCESS
and above all, of aromatic compounds. The re- Ozonation & filtration
active products from ozonation are removed in PLANTS from
a downstream, biological phase preferably by St. Pourçain (F) secondary treated
means of deep bed, bioactive filtration. Reinach (CH) clarifier water
Regensdorf (CH)
ADVANTAGES: Lausanne (CH) recirculation to activated sludge stage
Compact process, limited space requirement
� KomOzAk (AT)
Relatively low operating costs
�
Simple operation
� APPLICATIONS:
Robust process
� Municipal wastewater that does not contain substances
�
No formation of residuals
� representing a problem for ozonation (e.g. bromide)
Extensive disinfection of the wastewater
� In the case of high COD
� Floc.
PACconcentrations (selective oxidation)
treated water

from
St. Pourçain-sur-Sioule treatment plant, France secondary
clarifier
recirculation to activated sludge stage
A newly built treatment plant for municipal and industrial waste- PROCESS TECHNOLOGY:
water including a stage for the elimination of micropollutants. The Screens, fat removal & sand trap
�
St. Pourçain treatment plant is one of the first large-scale technical Activated sludge process (aerobic
� PAC stabilisation)
facilities for the removal of micropollutants. Phosphate precipitation
�
treated water
Ozonation & filtration
�
Capacity: 15,000 p.e.
Inflow: 2,160 m3 /d / max. 3,974 m3 /d from
primary
Start-up: 2013 As the sewage sludge is used for farming purposes, processes
biology
clarifier
based on activated carbon were immediately ruled out. Moreover,
membrane
simple, compact and economic realisation were in favour of the
filtration
BIOZONE system.
®

mechanical activated secondary ozonation filtration discharge of

pre-treatment sludge process clarification treated water

6
 recirculation to activated sludge stage
from
secondary treated
clarifier water
recirculation to activated sludge stage
PAC Floc.

from
O3
secondary
PACOPUR®, CARBOPUR® treated
clarifier water

Adsorption process with powdered (PAC)

recirculation to activated sludge stage
from

or granulated activated carbon (GAC)

secondary treated
clarifier water

recirculation to activated sludge stage

O3
PAC Floc. FHM
PROCESS PROCESS PROCESS
PAC & Filtration: PAC & Membrane GAC filtration:
from
from PACOPUR-SF® secondary filtration / MBR:
PAC Floc.
treated
CARBOPUR®
GAC-filtration
secondary clarifier PACOPUR-MF®, treated water
water
treated from
clarifier
PLANTS water PACOPUR-MBR® secondary PLANTS
from
recirculation to activated sludge stage recirculation to activated sludge stage clarifier
Kloten-Opfikon (CH), secondary Bülach (CH), treated
Altenrhein
water
(CH),
Ergolz (CH), Herisau (CH), clarifier PLANTS the KomOzAk project (AT)
Thunersee (CH) Birs (CH), Le
recirculation Loclesludge
to activated (CH)stage recirculation to activated sludge stage

PAC Floc. PAC Floc.

PAC GAC-filtration
treated watertreated water
from
secondary
from from clarifier
from
secondary primary secondary biology treated water
treated
GAC-filtration clarifier clarifier
clarifier water
membrane
recirculation to activated sludge stage recirculation to activated sludge stage recirculation to activated sludge stage
filtration
from
PACOPUR-SF®: PAC adsorption + Filtration
secondary PAC adsorption + MBR (submerged membranes) CARBOPUR®: GAC filtration
PAC
clarifier
treated water
treated water
CHARACTERISTICS:
O3 from
The elimination of mostly non-polar compounds through primarythe ad- APPLICATIONS:
recirculation to activated sludge stage biology
sorption of the micropollutants into the activated carbon. The “loa-
clarifier Wastewater containing substances that pose a problem for
�
membrane
from ded” carbon is disposed of, or regenerated and reused. ozonation
filtration
(e.g. bromide).
secondary treated COD/DOC
� reduction
clarifier
ADVANTAGES: water

� Low electricity consumption

recirculation to activated sludge stage
� A robust process with limited maintenance and personnel
expenses
� The additional operating cost saving potential provided by the
return of the activated carbon to the biology.
PAC Floc. GAC-filtration
treated water
Ergolz I treatment plant, Sissach, Switzerland (PACOPUR-SF®)
from
secondary
from clarifier
secondary treated water
clarifier
Retrofitting of a mechanical/biological treatment plant with powdered activated car-
recirculation to activated sludge stage
bon adsorption and filtration within the framework of anrecirculation
industrialto scale
activatedpilot
sludge stage
plant.

Capacity: PAC 40.000 p.e.

treated water
Inflow: 8,640 m3/d
from
primaryPROCESS biologyTECHNOLOGY:
clarifier
� Screens, sand trap, primary sedimentation
membrane
� Activated sludge process
filtration
Phosphate precipitation
�
PAC adsorption and deep bed filtration (sand filter)
�

in %
Elimination of micropollutants: 100
90
- PAC deep bed filtration only 80 Removal target 80%
- complete treatment process. 70
60
50
ƒƒ On average, 80% degradation can be 40
achieved with moderate PAC dosing. 30
ƒƒ Elimination is mainly performed by the 20
10
deep bed filtration. 0
Removal in the entire
l
zo

PAC dosing: 11.8 mg/l treatment plant

xa
ho

DOC removal: 31% Removal in the PAC filter

et
m

TSS in the PAC filter outflow: <1 mg/l

lfa
Su

Source: Aqua&Gas 1/2016

7
Current customer projects: BIOZONE®, PACOPUR®, CARBOPUR®

BIOZONE®: Reinach treatment plant, Switzerland

Construction of a new mechanical/ PROCESS TECHNOLOGY:

biological wastewater treatment Mechanical pre-treatment
�
plant fitted with ozonation and Activated sludge process
�
deep bed filtration. Phosphate precipitation
�
Ozonation & bioactive, deep
�
Capacity: 35,400 m3/d bed filtration
Start-up: 2016
Photo: Deep bed filtration in
Reinach – filter cells prior to start-up

PACOPUR®: Thunersee treatment plant, Switzerland

Enlargement of a mechanical/ Capacity: 70,000 m3/d

biological treatment plant with PAC Start-up: 2018
adsorption, sedimentation and
filtration. PROCESS TECHNOLOGY:
Screens, sand trap, primary sedimentation
�
Activated sludge process (nitrification,
�
denitrification, Bio-P)
PAC adsorption & sedimentation
�
Deep bed filtration
�

CARBOPUR®: Altenrhein treatment plant, Switzerland

Enlargement of a mechanical/biological treatment

plant with ozonation and GAC adsorption/filtration.
WABAG provided the adsorption/filtration lot.

Capacity: 42,000 m3/d

Start-up: 2018

PROCESS TECHNOLOGY:
Screens, sand trap, primary sedimentation
�
Activated sludge process/bio-filtration
�
Sand filter incl. phosphate precipitation
�
Ozonation
�
GAC filtration
�

8
 Filtration
ab
VKB
Biologie NKB
Ablauf

BIOZONE
Rez. zur Biologie
& CARBOPUR
® ®
/ PACOPUR®

Ozonation & adsorption

PAK

Ablauf
CHARACTERISTICS:
ab ADVANTAGES:
Combination
� VKB of chemical oxidation and adsorption. � The process combination results in
Large broadband
� effect with regard to elimination of
Biologie high elimination rates for most PROCESS
micropollutants. micropollutants. Ozonation & GAC:
During the use of powdered activated
� Membran-
carbon, deep bed � The possibility of operating cost BIOZONE®/CARBOPUR®
filtration
filtration serves both carbon retention and biological post- optimisation.
treatment. Ozonation & PAC:
SELECTION: BIOZONE®/PACOPUR®
O3 When the wastewater matrix con-
GAC filtration
from sists of a large number of organic
secondary micropollutants, e.g. owing to indus-
clarifier trial wastewater. PLANTS
treated
Bülach (CH),
water
KomOzAk (AT)

recirculation to activated sludge stage

KomOzAk project, Austria
O3
FM FHM
An industrial scale pilot plant for advanced wastewater treatment The outflow from a large-scale treatment plant (C/N/P removal)
using ozone and with three differing post-treatment steps and was used as raw water. WABAG played a leading role in this joint
NKB
granulated activated carbon (on a semi-industrial scale). Both project, which was headed by the Vienna University of Technolo-
Ablauf
processes were employed in parallel operation. gy, and was responsible for the process technology design, plan-
ning, engineering and installation. In addition, WABAG acted as
PLANT DATA: the project partner with overall responsibility for maintenance and
Pilot plant capacity: max. 3,360 m³/d operations throughout the 24-month project period.
GAC unit capacity: max. 96 m³/d
Start-up: 2013 Belüftung
Operation: 24 months (2013-2015)

Pilot plant consisting of two units operated in

parallel:
1. Ozonation with three different downstream process steps:
� Decay tanks
� Granular activated carbon filter (GAC filter)
� Biologically activated filter

2. A filter with granulated activated carbon (GAC) - CARBOPUR®.

9
Developed, tested, built.
With WABAG you are on the safe side.

We have been involved in research and development in the micro- 2014/2015: partner and equipment supplier for industrial scale
�
pollutant elimination field for over a decade. testing at the Ergolz treatment plant in Switzerland (40,000 p.e.)
for research into the extension of existing deep bed filter sys-
WABAG projects for the development and optimisation of micropol- tems and activated carbon adsorption. This work was part
lutants removal technologies: of the “Aktifilt” project, which was funded with environmental
technology grants from the Federal Environmental Ministry.
2007/2008: equipment supplier for an industrial scale study re-
�
garding the ozonation of treated wastewater at the Regens- 2014/2015: partner and equipment supplier for the testing of
�
dorf treatment plant in Switzerland (15,000 p.e.) as part of the biological post-treatment downstream of ozonation, as
Federal Environmental Ministry’s “Micropoll Strategy” project. part of the “ReTREAT” research project at the Neugut treatment
plant in Dübendorf , Switzerland. This work was funded with en-
2009/2010: partner during additional “Micropoll” pilot tests at
ƒƒ vironmental technology grants from the Federal Environmental
the Vidy treatment plant in Lausanne, Switzerland involving Ministry.
ozonation and bio-active filtration phases (sand filtration).
2013-2015: main partner (responsible for process technology,
�
2012/2013: partner and equipment supplier for the “Aqua-
� engineering, installation and operational management) at an
pure” project at the Birs treatment plant in Switzerland. This industrial scale pilot plant in Austria. Use of ozonation with
project involved tests using a combination of powdered ac- three different post-treatment processes, as well as GAC
tivated carbon and membrane filtration processes and filtration. This KomOzAk project was a joint undertaking of the
was funded with environmental technology grants from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment
Federal Environmental Ministry. and Water Management, Vienna University of Technology and
industrial partners.
2014: partner and equipment supplier for testing at the Le Locle
�
treatment plant in Switzerland, related to research into the use 2014-2018: main partner and equipment supplier for indus-
�
of powdered activated carbon in a membrane bioreactor. trial scale testing at the Bülach treatment plant in Switzerland
This was a research project of the Neuenburg canton. (34,000 m3/d) regarding the use of ozonation and down-
stream adsorption on granulated activated carbon. This
work was part of a Federal Environmental Ministry project.

The number of chemicals that we

employ is increasing on a daily basis
and a growing number of residues in
small concentrations can be identified
in our waters.

100,000 different chemicals are

currently registered with the EU of
which up to 70,000 are in everyday
use. In Switzerland there are over
30,000.

10
 Research & development
PAC Floc. FHM

from
secondary
treated
clarifier
BIOZONE : Wüeri treatment
® water plant, Regensdorf, Switzerland
recirculation to activated sludge stage

Industrial scale pilot test using ozonation in full PROCESS TECHNOLOGY:

stream operation. This was the first ozonation Screens, sand trap, primary
�
plant of this size to be used in a municipal, waste- sedimentation
water treatment plant in Switzerland. Activated sludge process with partial
�
PAC Floc. denitrification and nitrification
Operation: 16 months (July 2007–October 2008) Phosphate precipitation
�
Capacity: 26,000 p.e. Ozonation
�
Deep bed filtration
�
from
secondary treated
clarifier water
Number of measurable substances

recirculation to activated sludge stage

Total concentration (μg/l)

40 without OZ
30 20 OZ
with without OZ
The effect of ozonation on the 20 15
with OZ
number and overall concentration 10
10 20 5
of the measured micropollutants without OZ
downstream ofOthe sand filter both 0 15 0
3 with OZ
before (without OZ) and during (with without OZ with OZ 10 without OZ with OZ
OZ) the pilot test. 5
0
from without OZ with OZ
secondary treated
clarifier water
PACOPUR-MF®
: Birs treatment plant, Birsfelden, Switzerland
recirculation to activated sludge stage
PAC Floc.
Pilot tests for activated carbon adsorption using various
membrane systems:
treated
from � Comparison between two differing MBR systems
water
secondary with submerged and pressurized membranes
clarifier PAC Floc. � Examination of the mechanical load on the
GAC-filtration
membranes caused by PAC.
treated water
from
� Examination of the elimination of micropollutants
.
recirculation to activated sludge stage depending on the PAC dosage.
secondary
from PAC-adsorption + MBR (pressurized membranes) clarifier
secondary treated water
clarifier
recirculation to activated sludge
PAK stage
PACOPUR-MBR®
: Le Locle treatment
recirculation plant,
to activated Switzerland
sludge stage

PAC Pilot tests at the Le Locle treatment plant with activated

Filtration
ab treated water carbon adsorption using an MBR system:
VKB
Biologie NKB
Comparison of a system with submerged
�
from
Ablauf membranes with and without PAC dosing.
primary biology Examination of the elimination of micropollutants in
�
clarifier line with the PAC dosage.
membraneRez. zur Biologie
filtration
PAC-adsorption + MBR (submerged membranes)

PAK

Ablauf 11
 sustainable solutions. for a better life.

WABAG offers sustainable solutions for:

Operations & Maintenance
n Drinking water treatment (DBO, BOT, BOOT)
After Sales Services
n Industrial and process water treatment Conceptualizing
n Sea and brackish water desalination
Commissioning
n Water reclamation
n Municipal wastewater treatment Financing
n Industrial wastewater treatment
n Sludge treatment
Construction
WABAG is one of the world’s most innovative water treat-
Design
ment companies with know-how in specific technologies
and in-house developed processes such as:
Equipment supply
n Fine sieving MICROPUR® Engineering
n Biofiltration BIOPUR®
n Moving bed biology FLUOPUR®
n Activated sludge Hybrid™,
processes MICROPUR-CAS®
n Sequenching Batch
Reactor (SBR) CYCLOPUR®
n Membrane bioreactor MARAPUR®,
MICROPUR-MBR®
n Membrane filtration RO, MF, UF, NF
CERAMOPUR®,
CERAMOZONE®
n Denitrification BIODEN®, ENR®
n Oxidation processes ADOX®, BIOZONE®
n Adsorption processes CARBOPUR®, PACOPUR® Winterthur (CH) Vienna (AT)

n Anammox DAMOPUR™
n Thermal desalination MED, TVC, MVC, MSF
MED XXL™
n Deep bed filtration in various designs
n Energy-optimised HQ Chennai, India
sludge treatment ENOPUR®, BIOZONE-AD®

The WABAG Group represents a leading multinational

player with companies and offices in 25 countries and a
focus on emerging markets in Europe, Africa, Latin
America, Middle East and Asia.

VA TECH WABAG Ltd.
„WABAG House“
No. 17, 200 Feet Thoraipakkam –
Pallavaram Main Road
Sunnambu Kolathur
Chennai 600 117, India
Tel.: +91 44 3923 2323
wabag@wabag.in
VA TECH WABAG GmbH WABAG Water Technology Ltd.
Dresdner Straße 87-91 Bürglistrasse 31
1200 Vienna, CH-8401 Winterthur,
Austria Switzerland
Tel.: +43 1 251 05 0 Tel.: +41 52 218 14 14
contact@wabag.com water@wabag.net

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