Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modeling the system dynamics for nutrient removal in an innovative septic tank media filter

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A next generation septic tank media filter to replace or enhance the current on-site wastewater treatment drainfields was proposed in this study. Unit operation with known treatment efficiencies, flow pattern identification, and system dynamics modeling was cohesively concatenated in order to prove the concept of a newly developed media filter. A multicompartmental model addressing system dynamics and feedbacks based on our assumed microbiological processes accounting for aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions in the media filter was constructed and calibrated with the aid of in situ measurements and the understanding of the flow patterns. Such a calibrated system dynamics model was then applied for a sensitivity analysis under changing inflow conditions based on the rates of nitrification and denitrification characterized through the field-scale testing. This advancement may contribute to design such a drainfield media filter in household septic tank systems in the future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abbott MD, Stanley RS (1999) Modeling groundwater recharge and flow in an upland fracture bedrock aquifer. Syst Dynam Rev 15:163–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Beran B, Kargi F (2005) A dynamic mathematical model for wastewater stabilization ponds. Ecol Modell 181:39–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Chang NB, Xuan Z, Daranpob A, Wanielista M (2010) A subsurface upflow wetland system for removal of nutrients and pathogens in on-site wastewater treatment plants. Environ Eng Sci 28(1):11–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Chang NB, Hossain F, Wanielista M (2010) Use of filter media for nutrient removal in natural systems and built environments (I): previous trends and perspectives. Environ Eng Sci 27(9):689–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Chang NB, Wanielista M, Daranpob A (2010) Use of filter media for nutrient removal in natural systems and built environments (II): design challenges and application potentials. Environ Eng Sci 27(9):707–720

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Chang NB, Wanielista M, Daranpob A, Xuan Z, Hossian F (2010) New performance-based passive septic tank underground drainfield for nutrient and pathogen removal using sorption media. Environ Eng Sci 27(6):469–482

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Chang NB, Wanielista M, Daranpob A, Hossian F, Xuan Z, Miao J, Liu S, Marimon Z, Debusk S (2011) On-site sewage treatment and disposal systems evaluation for nutrient removal (Final report). Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Tallahassee, Florida

  8. Deaton ML, Winebrake JJ (2000) Dynamic modeling of environmental systems. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  9. Dyson B, Chang NB (2005) Forecasting of solid waste generation in an urban region by system dynamics modeling. Waste Manage 25(7):669–679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Elmahdi A, Malano H, Etchells T (2007) Using system dynamics to model water-reallocation. Environmentalist 27(1):3–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ford A (1999) Modeling the environment. Island Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gao N, Armatas NG, Shanley JB, Kamman NC, Miller EK, Keeler GJ, Scherbatskoy T, Holsen TM, Young T, McIlroy L, Drake S, Olsen B, Cady C (2006) Mass balance assessment for mercury in Lake Champlain. Environ Sci Technol 40(1):82–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Guo HC, Liu L, Huang GH, Fuller GA, Zou R, Yin YY (2001) A system dynamics approach for regional environmental planning and management: a study for Lake Erhai Basin. J Environ Manag 61:93–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Hoover M (2002) Performance standards for wastewater pretreatment, Northeast on-site wastewater short course and equipment exhibition. Oral Presentation, Newport, pp 25–26

    Google Scholar 

  15. Hossain F, Chang NB, Wanielista M, Xuan Z, Daranpob A (2010) Nitrification and denitrification effect in a passive on-site wastewater treatment system with a recirculation filtration tank. Water Qual Expo Health 2:31–46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kabi Das B, Bandyopadhyay M, Mohapatra PKJ (1997) System dynamics modeling of biological reactors for waste water treatment. J Environ Syst 25(3):213–240

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kadlec RH, Knight R (1996) Treatment wetlands. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  18. Mayo AW, Mutamba J (2005) Nitrogen transformation in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland I: model development. Phys Chem Earth 30:658–667

    Google Scholar 

  19. Pan Y, Raynal DJ (1995) Decomposing tree annual volume increments and constructing a system dynamic model of tree growth. Ecol Modell 82(3):299–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Smith DP, Otis R, Flint M (2008) Florida passive nitrogen removal study (Final report). Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee

    Google Scholar 

  21. US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (2002) Chapter1: Background and use of onsite wastewater treatment systems, in onsite wastewater treatment systems manual EPA/625/R-00/008, Office of research and development. Washington, DC, USA

    Google Scholar 

  22. Vezjak M, Savsek T, Stuhler EA (1998) System dynamics of eutrophication processes in lakes. Euro J Operation Res 109:442–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Vizayakumar K, Mohapatra PKJ (1993) Modeling and simulation of environmental impacts of a coalfield: system dynamic approach. J Environ Manage 42:59–73

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wanielista M, Chang NB, Makkeasorn A (2008) Provisional patent: “Passive underground drainfield for septic tank nutrient removal using special functionalized green filtration media. Atty. Docket No: UCF-663. US Patent filed under review

  25. Wood TS, Shelley ML (1999) A dynamic model of bioavailability of metals in constructed wetland sediments. Ecol Eng 12:231–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Xuan Z, Chang NB, Makkeasorn A, Wanielista M (2009) Initial test of a subsurface constructed wetland with green sorption media for nutrient removal in on-site wastewater treatment systems. Water Qual Expo Health 1(3–4):159–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Xuan Z, Chang NB, Daranpob A, Wanielista M (2010) Modeling the subsurface upflow wetland (SUW) system for wastewater effluent treatment. Environ Eng Sci 27(10):879–888

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Xuan Z, Chang NB, Wanielista M, Hossain F (2010) Laboratory-scale characterization of the green sorption medium for wastewater treatment to improve nutrient removal. Environ Eng Sci 27(4):301–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by an Urban Nonpoint Source Research Grant from the Bureau of Watershed Restoration, Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

    Zhemin Xuan, Ni-Bin Chang & Martin Wanielista

Authors
  1. Zhemin Xuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ni-Bin Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Martin Wanielista
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ni-Bin Chang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Xuan, Z., Chang, NB. & Wanielista, M. Modeling the system dynamics for nutrient removal in an innovative septic tank media filter. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 35, 545–552 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-011-0627-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-011-0627-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation