Ageing of the units of biofiltration of waste water: Balance assessment after 10 years of functioning

For more than 10 years, the Interdepartmental Association for Sewage disposal in Paris Conurbation (SIAAP), which is in charge of both the transport and the treatment of the Great Paris wastewaters, use biofiltres as a step of the water treatment in its plants. Since such treatment is commonly adopted in most of the sewage plants existing in this area, the SIAAP engineers were induced to investigate the fine details and complexity associated with the running of these attach growth systems. In this context, the general state of the biofUlration units of the Seine Centreplant (800000 equivalent inhabitants) has been checked. Both kind of biofiltres used (Biofor® and Biostyr®) have been emptied and inspected to know exactlly the wearing effects after 10 years of running. Over all, the biofUteres are in a good shape. The pollutant reduction rates are good enough and allow to achieve the quality objectives pursuant to the EU Water Framework Directive. Diagnostics have shown that some slight amendments on equipments and an adapted behaviour can prevent major corrective operations and confine the renovation works to a filling up with media supports.

Duke Scholars

Author Paulo Alexandre Ferreira Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery