WASTEWATER TREATMENT USING BIOFILTERS FOR ROXAS AVENUE

CANAL
 
 

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented to
the Civil Engineering Department of
School of Engineering and Architecture
Ateneo de Davao University
E. Jacinto St., Davao City

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

JEREMIAH P. AQUITANIA
MARC NEIL S. LADIO
JOHN HARVEY A. PAGARAN
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This section involves the research design and concept, research

procedure, acquisition of research essentials, prototype design, and laboratory
testing.

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN AND CONCEPT

This undergraduate study involves data gathering, testing of the graywater

sample, and construction and design of the water treatment prototype. The study
will be divided into three systematic parts. The first part is the procedure of the
research; the pre-test and the post-test. The design of the prototype is dependent
on the result of the laboratory testing. The second part is the analysis of values of
the laboratory test. The prototype will be designed, constructed, and tested for its
effectiveness. And the third part is the determination of the cost of all parameters
such as the laboratory testing, components of the prototype, and filtration agents
(activated carbon, vetiver grass, aquatic freshwater plants).

3.2 RESEARCH PROCEDURE

In Figure 3.1, the procedure is divided into two tests. The Pre-test is the
acquisition of the flowing graywater from one of the culverts in the Roxas canal.
Water must come from the culverts so as the properties may not be altered by the
stagnant graywater in the canal. The proponents will obtain two samples of the
flowing graywater as well as its velocity. The first sample will be weighed and
measured for its volume while the second will be preserved for the Post-test.
Variables such as flow rate, density, and specific gravity will be determined
thereafter. After the initial testing, the sample will be kept in a desiccator and sent
to the laboratory to determine the amount of Total Suspended Soils (TSS),
Nitrogen Phosphate Potassium (NPK), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

    In the Post-test, the second sample obtained from the latter part will be
treated by the Greywater Treatment System prototype of the proponents. The
filtration system has three stages; Filtration using Gravel, Sand, and Clay, Carbon
filtration, and Biofiltration. The first stage will first be carried out in the Soil
Mechanics Laboratory to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the combined
gravel, sand, and clay filter. The Second stage is the preparation of carbon filter
by pulverizing and sieving in the same laboratory. The last stage is the
acquisition, planting, rooting, and preparation of vetiver grass, mangrove, and
aquatic plants. The Roxas environment will be simulated in a cordoned workplace
where the prototype will be deployed. Factors such as Sun path, wind, and
temperature will be applied in the workplace. Samples will be taken after periods
of time, and will be sent to the laboratory to obtain the final results of TSS, NPK,
and TDS.

Municipal Wastewater

Granular
Data from Review of Biofiltration
Filtration
Related Literature
Carbon
Theory of Soil
Filtration
Permeability

Proposed Design

Construction of
Prototype

Testing of Proposed
Design

Comparison between Initial

and Periodic values
 Average Average
Constituent Sample Unit Untreated Treated
(untreated) (treated)

1st week mg/L

TSS 2nd week mg/L

3rd week mg/L

1st week mg/L

NPK 2nd week mg/L

3rd week mg/L

1st week mg/L

TDS 2nd week mg/L

3rd week mg/L

3.3 TECHNICAL DESIGN WORKFLOW

3.3.1 PROTOTYPE DESIGN

Figure 3.2 summarizes the procedure and design of the prototype. The
proponents will design a prototype wastewater treatment system based on
properties of graywater, hydraulic conductivity of the first stage of filter, habitat of
biofilters, existing constructed wetland systems, and flow rate of one of the
culverts in the Roxas canal. Calculations will then be performed to ensure the
functionality of the prototype. After the checking of the prototype, cost will be
determined and minor adjustments for the budget will be made. Prototype will
then be constructed according to the final design. It will then be used for testing
once all parameters such as rooting of biofilters, settlements of sand filters, and
hydraulic conductivity of the prototype are determined. The preserved sample will
then be treated in the prototype. After, the proponents will conduct usability
testing to further improve the designed system.

Figure 3.1 Sample Table for the Data Comparison of Graywater

Samples Municipal
Figure 3.2 Stages of Wastewater
Filtration for Prototype Testing

Rapid Gravity
Medium
3.3.1.1 PROPOSED PROTOTYPE DESIGN

The proposed design of the prototype for the municipal wastewater

biofiltration system is divided into two chambers, each having a specific purpose.
The first chamber of the prototype, having a wedge-like lip, will carry the granular
filter media and the carbon filter medium. This is where the solid particles are
expected to remain and only permitting the liquid to flow through the second
chamber. The partition of the two chambers will have a hole, which will be
covered in wire mesh, at the bottom to permit only the liquid to flow through. The
second chamber of the filtration system will carry the biological filters, which will
treat liquid, minimizing its pollutant content and at the same time, improving its
quality.

(Insert Model here)

Referring to the Figure 3.3, the first chamber of the prototype will have a
volume of approximately 0.072 cubic meters. This chamber will have a maximum
capacity of holding 72 litres of wastewater. And the second chamber will have a
volume of approximately 0.144 cubic meters and will be the largest chamber in
the prototype. Since this is the chamber that should hold a larger quantity of
wastewater, it will then be designed to have a maximum capacity of 144 litres.
Therefore, the total volume of the proposed prototype design is approximately
0.216 cubic meters and will have a maximum capacity of 216 litres.

(Insert Section here)

In the lateral section shown above, the flow of wastewater will first have to
pass through the first chamber, where the solid particles must remain.