Gradient Technology proposes to develop a compact and modular wetland system for the treatment of washrack effluent. The system was designed through the combination of best engineering practices and the latest in wetlands research, yielding a system that requires a fraction of the area as a typical constructed wetland. The "Compact Wetland System" (CWS) presently consists of two modules. The first module handles solids and a majority of the phosphorus and nitrates. The second module finishes the stream to discharge standards. Creative hydrodynamics and optimized macrophyte clustering result in a highly efficient system. Phase I will demonstrate the proof of concept with a combination of pilot-scale laboratory experiments and simulations. Phase II will see the construction of a working demonstration facility.
Benefits: The Compact Wetland System has many commercial applications. Food processing facilities have large process water steams that are ideal for this type of processing. The flexibility in design allows for the treatment of a variety of components. Other potential customers are animal feed lots, municipal lakes and streams, and other manufacturers with large quantities of process water.
Keywords: wetland treatment wastewater wastewater processing macrophyte
