Biofilters as Alternative Method for Ammonia Removal in Water Treatment Plant

  • Authors

    • Hassimi Abu Hasan
    • Mohd Hafizuddin Muhamad
    • Nurul Nadia Mohd Sabri
    • Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah
    2019-01-30
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v8i1.2.24911
  • Ammonia, Drinking Water Treatment, Slow Sand Biofilter, Turbidity

  • Abstract

    High level of ammonia concentration in raw water have led to the temporary shutdown of water treatment plant at certain areas of Malaysia especially in Selangor state. The contamination occurred as a result of the impact of industrial activities, agricultural activities and disposal of rubbish into the river. This study was carried out to determine the performance of slow sand biofilters (BioSSF) as an alternative method for the ammonia removal in drinking water treatment plant. Two factors i.e., empty bed contact time (EBCT) (5 to 15 minutes) and ammonia concentration (3 to 5 mg/L) were investigated. The results showed the best ammonia removal percentage was at 15 minutes EBCT with removal percentage of 98.3%. Increasing the ammonia concentration in raw water reduced the BioSSF performance, but the ammonia removal was still below the regulated limits (< 1.5 mg/L). In addition, the BioSSF also have a capability to reduce the turbitidy, chemical oxygen demand, colour and suspended solid. Thus, it proved the BioSSF can be an alternative method for the current conventional water treatment specially to remove the ammonia.

     

     

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  • How to Cite

    Abu Hasan, H., Hafizuddin Muhamad, M., Nadia Mohd Sabri, N., & Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, S. (2019). Biofilters as Alternative Method for Ammonia Removal in Water Treatment Plant. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 8(1.2), 256-261. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v8i1.2.24911

    Received date: 2018-12-28

    Accepted date: 2018-12-28

    Published date: 2019-01-30