An Integrated Bioreactor and Advanced Oxidation Process for the Treatment of Shipboard Non-oily Wastewater

"U.S. Armed Forces vessels generate substantial quantities of non-oily wastewater (sewage and graywater) from toilet, shower, and galley facilities. Anticipated tightening of regulations will prevent discharge of graywater from Armed Forces vessels within12 n.m. from the coastline of the U.S. and its territories. The 12 n.m. no-discharge zone will require that graywater generated onboard be treated or held when the ship is in this zone. The holding capacity of existing ships is insufficient to meet theanticipated regulations without wastewater treatment. Current membrane technologies for treating shipboard non-oily wastewater have limitations including foam control, long-term membrane fouling, and the sensitivity of the biomass to chemical shocks thatcan occur in graywater drains.The proposed non-oily wastewater treatment process utilizes an activated sludge bioreactor that separates the sludge from the effluent without the use of membranes or gravity settling. An advanced oxidation process will subsequently disinfect the effluentso that it will be suitable for unrestricted discharge or re-use. The advantages of the proposed method are its small size, low maintenance, lack of membranes and associated fouling and ability to meet discharge criteria for coastal wasters of the U.S. Rising costs for waste handling on ships and in ports is a major driving force for the development of cost effective treatment solutions for both military