The first Ecorkwaste pilot constructed wetland is built
In the last months all the partners involved in Ecorkwaste project have been working hard focused in the building of the pilot constructed wetland (CW) in Codorníu facilities that has been just finished.
The CW has two shipping containers. On one hand, the Standard Shipping container is used as a control room. Inside, there are the pumping and storage tanks with the pumps, valves, sensors and the entire distribution system as well as the automation and control elements. They are confined in order to protect them from the weather conditions.
On the other hand, the Open Top Shipping container is used as a container for the elements of the constructed wetland:
a) Waterproofing
We have installed a waterproof barrier to confine the system preventing the leak of wastewater outside the shipping container.
b) Input and output structures
The wastewater from the two-chambered sedimentation tank is pumped to the inlet tank where the flow is distributed through perforated pipes installed on the wetland filter.
The effluent collection is made through perforated drainage pipes installed on the bottom of the wetland; these are connected to a collection pipes that discharges the effluent from the bed to the well.
The drainage system is aerated by vertical pipes extending over the shipping
container wall. Piezometers are also used to collect the samples of cork during the operation of the constructed wetland.
The pump in the well collect the treated water and send it to the outlet tank, where it can be recirculated or discharged. Inside a perforated pipe, the water level sensor allows control the water level inside the wetland and a temperature sensor allows to know the temperature of the water.
c) Induced airflow
The CW has a system to induce oxygen to the wastewater flow. The oxygen is used to the decomposition of the organic matter enhanced the performance of the treatment. In this case, the wetland will be aerated during each cycle of treatment.
d) Granular media
On the granular medium several processes take place, such as: retention and sedimentation of suspended matter, organic matter degradation, nutrients transformation and assimilation, and the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms. The filter media is a layer of 1.0m of 7mm cork granulates and it was distributed inside the shipping container.
e) Vegetation
The vegetation to be used on the wetlands is PhragmytesAustralis. We expect to plan the vegetation in the following weeks.
f) Solar energy system
The solar energy system provides the necessary energy to the constructed wetland pilot. The solar cells are fixed to the shipping container wall and the other elements are fixed inside the control room.
The automation and operation of the whole system can be controlled from a website where all the operational parameter can be adjusted to the project needs.
This system also allows us gathering real time information and statistics related to the operation of the CW.
We will collect samples of water during the following months so we can determinate the efficiency of the treatment regarding water quality at the end of the project.
