Necessity for replacing the filter media in the water treatment plant based on effective size and uniformity coefficient

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Environment Research Center, Isfahan University of medical Sciences (IUMS), Isfahan, Iran and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, IUMS, Isfahan; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

2 Environment Research Center, Isfahan University of medical Sciences (IUMS), Isfahan, Iran and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, IUMS, Isfahan, Iran

3 Isfahan Water Treatment Plant, Isfahan Water and Wastewater Company, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to compare the parameters in filtration unit of the plant with international guidelines. The results of this study would determine the necessity for replacing or renewing the anthracite and sand filter beds in phase I of IWTP. Materials and Methods: In this field study, a total of 11 samples with a mass of 5 kg sand and anthracite media were analyzed. The media samples were evaluated in view of uniformity coefficient and effective size according to international soil classification. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using t-test at significance level (P < 0.05). Results: Results of this study showed that the uniformity coefficients of anthracite and sand media were 3.6 ± 0.4 and 1.93 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. Also, the effective sizes of anthracite and sand media were 0.68 ± 0.08 and 0.63 ± 0.05 mm, respectively. These values exceeded the international guidelines and had a significance difference with them (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion: The results were shown that the uniformity coefficient and effective size of sand and anthracite media in the filters used in phase I of IWTP exceeded the guidelines and they need to be replaced with new media. Finally, based on the current study, filter beds were renewed.

Keywords

Volume 1, December
December 2012
Pages 27-32
  • Receive Date: 05 February 2023
  • Accept Date: 05 February 2023