Non-woven fabric filters integrated with decentralized system for domestic wastewater treatment

--------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT----------------------------------------------------------Pilot plant composed of fabric filters integrated with the decentralized treatment plant ZECUwas tested for its ability to remove the suspended solids and organic matters presented as TSS, CODt and CODs from wastewater. The filters were made from scrim polyester non-woven fabrics and were tested on gravity driven pressure. The investigation was executed on two phases. In the first phase; the flux rates were changed from 3.5-15 L/m 2 /hr and the differential hydraulic head was 1.5 m, average TSS, CODt and CODs effluent concentrations 40 mg/l, 177 mg/l and 119 mg/l respectively. In the second phase the differential hydraulic head was changed to be 2.5 m, average TSS, CODt and CODs effluent concentrations were 43.6 mg/l, 133.7 mg/l and 105.3 mg/l respectively. The potential removal mechanism for the suspended solids by fabric filters is straining or sieving by filter pores. The potential removal mechanism for dissolved organic matters is dynamic membrane layer formed on the fabric filters surface and was able to remove soluble organic matters with CODs average removal efficiencies of 21.25% and 18.9%inphase (1) andphase (2) respectively.