Application of first-order kinetic modelling of municipal wastewater treatment at two stage hybrid constructed wetland

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Civil Engineering Department, Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, 273010 (U.P.), India

2 Department of Civil Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj 211004, India

Abstract

With a focus on naturalistic problem-solving methods, many systems and management techniques that promote high levels of water purity, energy savings, and food security are essential to the expanding green economy. Constructed wetlands are an affordable, dependable, and sustainable substitute for traditional wastewater treatment plants. In this study, a two-stage experimental design was used to establish a hybrid constructed wetland system on a laboratory scale. The vertical flow (VF) constructed wetland was followed by a horizontal flow (HF) constructed wetland. The surface area of the second-stage horizontal flow constructed wetland reactor was 2025 cm², whereas the first-stage vertical flow constructed wetland reactor was 1963.49 cm². The hydraulic loading rate, a crucial factor in the design of two-stage hybrid constructed wetlands, was the main focus of the study, which assessed the effectiveness of these systems. The treatment processes were analyzed using empirical kinetic models, which included two first-order kinetic models: p-k-C and p-k-C* for stage two and k–C and k–C* for stage one. The process operating at a hydraulic loading rate of 0.55 m/day had a beneficial effect on the mass removal rate for both stages. The mass loading rate and mass removal rate were found to have a favorable relation for pollutants, such as total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen. The nitrification and denitrification processes had less time because of lower oxygenation caused by the high hydraulic loading rate. The design and functionality of two-stage hybrid constructed wetlands could be improved using the valuable insights from this research, leading to more effective wastewater treatment methods.

Graphical Abstract

Application of first-order kinetic modelling of municipal wastewater treatment at two stage hybrid constructed wetland

Keywords

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References

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Advances in Environmental Technology
Volume 12, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 232-242

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 16 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 21 April 2026

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