Study on the efficiency of removing some environmental pollutants in yellow water by using sand and brick powder

Abstract

Urine and flush water is known as yellow water in general. Releasing of untreated urine to the environment causes bad odor, aquatic and terrestrial pollution also. The main focus of this research is to investigate the usage of sand and red brick powder to remove environmental pollutants in yellow water. Filtration column used for the study was packed by using sand or brick particles in the range of 0.270- 0.355 mm diameter. Continuous flow filtration through column of sand or brick powder was investigated for removal of total nitrogen, color, conductivity and COD caused by urine. Whilst brick powder demonstrates good filtration efficiency, sand is found to be inefficient for the intention. Initial efficiencies demonstrated by brick powder for removal of total nitrogen, color, conductivity and COD were 93%, 92%, 55%, 65% respectively and decreased upon continuous filtration except for total nitrogen. During the study, total nitrogen removal efficiency remained constant.