DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT WITH MICROBIAL AND ADVANCED OXIDATION TECHNIQUES

Abstract

The increasing generation of industrial and municipal wastewater has created significant environmental and public health concerns worldwide. Conventional wastewater treatment methods often face challenges in achieving complete removal of organic pollutants, pathogens, nutrients, and emerging contaminants. To address these limitations, integrated treatment approaches combining microbial processes and advanced oxidation techniques have gained considerable attention. This study focuses on the design and optimization of a wastewater treatment plant utilizing biological treatment through microbial degradation and advanced oxidation processes for enhanced pollutant removal. The microbial treatment stage employs beneficial microorganisms to decompose organic matter, reduce biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and lower chemical oxygen demand (COD). Subsequently, advanced oxidation techniques such as ozonation, photocatalysis, and Fenton oxidation generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals that effectively degrade persistent organic contaminants and pathogenic microorganisms. The proposed treatment plant design incorporates primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment units to maximize treatment efficiency and ensure compliance with environmental discharge standards. Optimization strategies involving process parameter control, hydraulic retention time management, aeration optimization, and oxidation dosage adjustment are implemented to improve overall performance. The integrated system demonstrates enhanced pollutant removal efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and sustainable wastewater management. The study highlights the potential of combining microbial and advanced oxidation techniques to develop efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment facilities.