What are the common problems in pure wastewater treatment?

The common problems in the process of pure wastewater treatment mainly focus on treatment efficiency, equipment operation, and cost control. The following are some specific issues:

In terms of processing effectiveness

Poor water quality: This is one of the more common problems. Due to the complex composition of wastewater and the presence of pollutants that are difficult to degrade, such as persistent organic pollutants and heavy metal ions in certain industrial wastewater, existing treatment processes may not be able to remove them to the standard level. Or the operating parameters of the treatment equipment may be unreasonable, such as insufficient aeration or low sludge concentration during the biological treatment process, which affects the treatment effect.

Large fluctuations in water quality: The water quality and quantity of wastewater may fluctuate over time, such as intermittent drainage in industrial production processes and changes in wastewater composition in different seasons. This will make it difficult for the treatment system to maintain a stable operating state, resulting in unstable effluent quality, increasing treatment difficulty and operating costs.

Equipment operation aspect

Equipment failure: Long term operation of wastewater treatment equipment can easily lead to various malfunctions, such as water pump wear, pipeline blockage, and damage to aeration equipment. Equipment failure can affect the normal operation of the processing flow, leading to a decrease in processing efficiency and even interrupting the processing process. In addition, some devices have high requirements for the operating environment, such as temperature, humidity, etc. If the environmental conditions do not meet the requirements, it will also affect the performance and lifespan of the equipment.

Sludge swelling: Sludge swelling is a challenging issue in biological treatment processes. Mainly due to the overgrowth of microorganisms such as filamentous bacteria, the sludge structure becomes loose, the volume increases, and the sedimentation performance deteriorates. Sludge expansion can cause sludge loss, affect effluent quality, and increase the difficulty and cost of sludge treatment.

Biofilm detachment: For treatment processes using biofilm methods, biofilm detachment may occur. This may be caused by excessive hydraulic erosion intensity, drastic changes in water quality, and lack of nutrients. The detachment of biofilm can lead to a decrease in biomass and a decrease in treatment efficiency, requiring a certain amount of time to restore the growth and function of biofilm.

In terms of cost control

High energy consumption: During the wastewater treatment process, some equipment such as water pumps, aeration devices, mixers, etc. require a large amount of electrical energy. If the equipment selection is unreasonable, the operating parameters are set improperly, or the energy consumption of the processing technology itself is high, it will lead to an increase in energy consumption costs. For example, excessive aeration can waste a lot of electricity, while insufficient aeration can affect treatment efficiency, and a balance needs to be found between the two.

High cost of chemicals: Various chemicals need to be added during the chemical treatment process, such as coagulants, disinfectants, neutralizers, etc. The price, dosage, and procurement channels of the medication will all affect the processing cost. If the dosage of the medication is too large, it will not only increase costs, but may also cause secondary pollution to the environment. In addition, the supply of some special agents may be unstable, which can also affect processing costs and effectiveness.

High maintenance costs: The maintenance of wastewater treatment equipment requires a certain amount of manpower, material resources, and financial resources. Regular equipment maintenance, replacement of parts, and upkeep all require expenses. If the equipment quality is poor or the operating environment is harsh, it will increase the frequency of equipment damage, thereby increasing maintenance costs.