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Rapid Sand Filtration

by Dottie Schmitt and Christie Shinault

Rapid sand filtration is the flow of water through a bed of granular media, normally following settling basins
in conventional water treatment trains. The purpose of this filtration is to remove any particulate matter left
over after flocculation and settling. The filter process operates based on two principles, mechanical straining
and physical adsorption. Sand filtration is a "physical-chemical process for separating suspended and colloidal
impurities from water by passage through a bed of granular material. Water fills the pores of the filter
medium, and the impurities are adsorbed on the surface of the grains or trapped in the openings." (Culp, page
91). The key to this process is the relative grain size of the filter medium.

Schematic of basic filtration principles by D. Schmitt

Rapid sand filtration is contrasted to slow sand filtration by increased flow rate, method of cleaning the filter
bed. A rapid sand filter can operate up to 40 times faster than a slow sand filter. Rapid sand filters are cleaned
often, usually daily, by reversing the flow of water through the entire filter bed, referred to as backwashing.
Slow sand filters are cleaned less frequently by removal of the top layer of media.

The Filtration Process

Photo of cross section of typical sand filter, courtesy of Blacksburg Water
Treatment Plant. Taken by Christie Shinault

In its most basic form, the filter is composed of three components, the inlet,
the filter bed and the outlet. The wastewater influent is distributed over the

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media bed, then gravity pulls it through the filter at a rate of 1 - 2 g.p.m./sq.ft.
It is then collected by the outlet component and distributed to storage tanks
for chlorination, or pump stations.

Click here for filter animation.

Sand filtration is of particular importance in that it effectively removes

pathogenic microorganisms. Giardia lamblia is a major concern in drinking
water supplies, as it forms cysts that cannot be killed by traditional
chlorination.

Filter Bed
The most effective is a coarse to fine pore size (the hydraulic radius of the stream line between particles).
This allows for a more complete use of the bed area and reduced backwash frequency. Mixed media filter
beds are the most common. An ideal mixed media bed may be composed of approximately 30-60 inches of
granular media with the following makeup, from inlet to outlet:

12 - 18 inches of anthracite coal with a specific gravity of 1.5 and grain size of 0.7 - 2 mm.. The anthracite
has a larger, more angular particle size to trap particulate matter before it gets to the sand layer and clogs it.
Anthracite's lower specific gravity allows it to remain on top of the sand layer after backwashing. The
anthracite layer also allows a lower backwash velocity to give the same bed expansion than if sand alone
were used.

9 - 16 inches of sand - this can be composed of two types.

Silica sand is used in the top 10 - 16 inches. Specific gravity is 2.5 and grain size ranges from 0.4 - 0.8
mm.
Garnet sand may be used in the bottom 3 - 6 inches. Specific gravity is 4.2 and grain size ranges from
0.3 - 8 mm.

The higher specific gravity of garnet allows a finer pore size without the danger of mixing layers during
backwashing. After the larger particles have been trapped by the anthracite, the sand media traps the
remaining particulate matter by a combination of adhesion and straining.

16-24 inches of 3-6 carefully graded layers of successively coarser gravel. Preferred gravel size is 5 - 60
mm. The gravel maintains a consistent and diffused flow during filtration and prevents disruption of the sand
layer during backwash.

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Schematic of filter bed. Christie Shinault and Dottie Schmitt

Filter media selection (both size and type) may be the most important decision in a rapid sand filter design. Its
selection is specific to each treatment plant and depends on the type of influent being filtered, media available
and expected quality of effluent.

Filter Inlet
The inlet consists of a method of maintaining a set water level during filtration and removing waste during the
backwash cycle.

Weirs are the most common method used to maintain the water level.

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Wash trough photos courtesy of Dr. Daniel L. Gallagher

A series of wash troughs are used to collect and remove backwash

water. Wash troughs are usually located 3.5 - 4 feet above the bed, 6 - 10 feet apart. Correct spacing and
height of troughs ensures the dirty wash water is efficiently skimmed off, without washing out any of the filter
media.

Filter Outlet
The outlet consists of a method to collect and remove filter water, distribute backwash water and control flow
rate through the filter. Collection and distribution is accomplished with an under drain, commonly called a
filter floor as it may also support the filter bed. There are three main designs commonly used:

Perforated lateral
Suspended nozzle
Combination lateral and nozzle

The underdrain must be maintenance and corrosion free. Uniform collection and distribution is important to
the integrity of the filter bed. Short circuiting or stagnation caused by the under drain can greatly reduce the
effectiveness of the filter.

If the filter design is decreasing flow, then no flow control is used. As the filter bed fills with particulate
matter the flow is reduced as more energy is expended in head losses. When head loss reaches a set
maximum, cleaning by backwashing is required.

Steady flow type filters are the most common. In this design head losses, and consequently flow rate, are held
constant. At the start of operation (clean filter) head losses are maintained at the designated level through
external mechanical means. As the filter media fills with particulate matter, increasing the internal head loss,
the external losses are reduced to maintain a constant. When external losses reach their minimum value,
cleaning is required.

The main factors influencing the filtering and trapping processes are:

Suspended particle size: Filtration efficiency improves with larger particulate size.
Pore size: The space between the grains determines the size of particulate that can be trapped.
Grain shape: Angular grains participate more in the mechanical straining process.
Filtration velocity: Filtration efficiency decreases with increased velocity.
Temperature of liquid: Increased water temperature, although it normally cannot be controlled, results
in more efficient filtration.
Chemical properties of the water and particle: A chemical filter aid may be added to promote adhesion.

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Different Types of Rapid Sand Filters

In addition to the gravity fed, other versions are available:

Deep coarse beds employ only a single media in 6 - 10 ft deep beds. These filters are best used on
industrial wastewater with a known particulate matter.
Upflow filters employ filtration from the bottom up, using coarse to fine filtration. Backwashing is
accomplished in the same direction (upflow) but with a greater velocity.
Biflow filters use a divided flow - upflow from the bottom and downflow from the top which permits
filtration in opposite directions at the same time.
Pressure filters are sand filters with the filter bed enclosed in a cylindrical steel or iron shell. The water
is passed through at a pre-determined pressure. The filter can be connected directly to the water main
and clean water delivered to the point of use with no additional pumping. It is most useful for smaller
quantities of water.

Sources:
Culp, Russell L et al. Handbook of Advanced Wastewater Treatment, New York. Van Nostrand
Reinhold Company. 1978.
Finlay, W. S. "Rapid Filtration" Water Treatment Technology. London. Her Majesy's Stationary Office.
Crown copyright 1979.
American Water Works Association.Introduction to Water Treatment, 1984. Denver.

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Contents

Send comments or suggestions to:

Student Authors: C. Shinault anon747@vt.edu, D. Schmittdschmitt@vt.edu
Faculty Advisor: Daniel Gallagher, dang@vt.edu
Copyright © 1996 Daniel Gallagher
Last Modified: 02/24/1998

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