Steel Slag and Limestone as a Rock Filter for Eliminating Phosphorus from Domestic Wastewater: A Pilot Study in a Warm Climate

Phosphorus input with excessive use of fertilizers and manure as one the main sources nutrient pollution has increased recently in wastewater result intensive farming industrialized densely populated areas. The novelty current work lies improving a Vertical Aerated Rock Filter (VARF) using steel slag limestone media to enhance efficiency rock filter (RF) eliminate total phosphorus (TP) from domestic wastewater. RF was designed (calcium hydroxide) pilot scale called vertical aerated (VASSF) optimized based on hydraulic loading rates (HLR) (0.16 5.44 m3/m3 day) airflow ranging 3 10 L/min. highest removal for design laboratory (LSSSF) achieved by approximately 58%, while laboratory-scale (LSLSF), it 64%. VASSF percentage at 30% TP, biological oxygen demand (BOD; 89%), chemical (COD; 75%), suspended solids (TSS; 73%), coliforms (TC; 96%), recorded 7 L/min an rate 1.04 m3/m3.day potential hydrogen (pH) 7.3 5.09 mg/L dissolved (DO). These findings indicated that is higher than TP removal, because ion exchange between hydrolysis adsorption process. Moreover, study, needs more investigation determine best conditions considering temperature, which unstable, presence other pollutants, might negatively affect under unstable conditions.