Total Phosphorus Removal to Low Levels Through Tertiary Reactive Filtration

A tertiary reactive filtration system has been developed by Blue Water Technologies, Inc. to removal total phosphorus and other constituents from wastewater. The reactive filtration system utilizes continuous backwash upflow filtration technology. The short-term and long-term fullscale testing completed by Blue Water Technologies, Inc. has yielded promising results for the removal of phosphorus from municipal wastewater. The long-term steady-state test of 0.25 mgd through the Blue PRO-CEPT dual reactive filtration system produced monthly average effluent total phosphorus levels of 0.036 mg/L, 0.009 mg/L, and 0.016 mg/L from December 2005 through February 2006. The system was not completely optimized as a dual-pass system for the December 2005 testing, but was optimized through January and February 2006. Testing in January 2007 simulated diurnal conditions at the facility. Total phosphorus effluent during this testing period averaged 0.13 mg/L from the first filter stage and 0.015 mg/L from the second stage. The diurnal flow varied from 75 gpm to 250 gpm (0.11 mgd to 0.36 mgd). Results from Blue Water Technology, Inc., indicate that progress is being made in reducing the level of TP from wastewater effluent when compared to traditional coagulation and filtration technologies. To achieve effluent TP concentrations to 0.01 mg/L suggests a more complete precipitation of soluble phosphorus, or the presence of other reactions such as adsorption.