Phytorid technology is a decentralized and ecosystem-based wastewater treatment approach that uses subsurface constructed wetland systems. It combines physical, biological, and chemical processes to remove pollutants such as total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, and phosphorus from wastewater to meet reuse standards. The system uses various plant species that provide filtration, adsorption, decomposition, and nutrient uptake capabilities. Phytorid technology has advantages over conventional wastewater treatment in that it has lower capital and operating costs, requires less land and skilled labor, and produces an effluent suitable for reuse in irrigation or restoration of lakes and streams.

1. Phytorid Technology
Decentralised & Ecosystem Based approach
By-
Nitin Kumar
Batch C2
2013UCE1333
To-
Dr. A.B. Gupta
Prof. MNIT Jaipur

2. Schematic representation of
centralised, combined and decentralised
wastewater management system

3. Paradigm Shift in Technological Solution
Command & Control approach Ecosystem Based approach

4. Challenges in conventional treatment
Conventional Treatment
Remove: TSS
Treats: Bio-oxidation
NO N, P removal
mechanism
Eutrophication due to N, P
• High maintenance in
terms of cost and
energy
• Can not down-scale
• Failure due to aerators
• Sludge disposal
• Skilled manpower
Sewage

5. PHYTORID TECHNOLOGY
Re-engineered advanced wetland technology
Subsurface mixed flow constructed wetland system (SSFCW)
Combines physical, biological and chemical processes
Developed by NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research
Institute)
Internationally patented technology
Included in National Environmental Policy
Proposed for smart cities

6. Components of PHYTORID system
Processes
Sedimentation
Bacterial action
Filtration
Adsorption
Decomposition
Nutrient uptake
Vegetation system
Phytorid bed
Treated water storage
Sewage
collection
tank
Settler/screen

7. Various Plant Types Used
•The system is based on the specific plants such as Elephant
grass (Pennisetum purpurem), Cattails (Typha spp.), Reeds
(Phragmites spp.), Cannas pp., Yellow flag iris (Iris
pseudocorus) normally found in natural wetlands with filtration
and treatment capability.
•Ornamental as well as flowering plants species such a Golden
Dhuranda, Bamboo, Nerium, Colosia, etc. can also be used for
treatment as well as landscaping purposes.

8. Comparison of Conventional Reed Bed
and PHYTORID
Conventional Reed Bed Phytorid Technology
Either vertical or horizontal flow Better hydraulics with mixed flow,
advantage for better oxygen mixing
Only reed species are used for uptake of
nutrients and treatment
Combinations of several plant species
makes it tailor made wastewater
treatment. Also the plant species are local
ones
Root mass is detached after full growth
and spoils the water quality after
deterioration
No such root mass detachment and hence
no fouling
May require larger area as shallow beds Can be designed for smaller area

9. Performance of PHYTORID for urban waste Pollutant
Parameter Performance (% removal)
1. Total suspended solids 85 – 95
2. Biochemical oxygen demand 80 – 90
3. Chemical oxygen demand 80 – 95
4. Total nitrogen 60 – 80
5. Phosphate 60 – 80
6. Fecal coliform >99
Treated water quality meets the specified
norms of CPCB for water reuse

10. Parameter Inlet sewage
quality
Treated water
quality
Standards
for inland
surface
water
Standards
Land
Irrigation
pH 7.1 to 7.5 7.2 5.5-9.0 5.5-9.0
Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (mg/L)
40 to 130 <5 30 100
Chemical Oxygen
Demand (mg/L)
130 to 350 < 12-18 250 Not Specified
Total Suspended solids
(mg/L)
80 to 90 < 15 100 200
Fecal Coli Farm
(MNP/100ml)
106 to 107 <20 --- ---
Nitrogen (mg/L) 10 to 50 4-5 5 Not Specified
Phosphate (mg/L) 10 to 50 1-4 5 Not Specified
Performance of PHYTORID for Sewage typical results

12. Cost Comparison
PARTICULARS NAME OF TECHNOLOGY
ASP MBBR SBR UASB+EA MBR WSP
PHYTORI
D
AREA REQ . SQMT/MLD 1000 550 550 1100 450 6100 580-1000
CAPITAL COST 108 108 115 108 300 63 110
CIVIL COST (% OF CAPITAL COST) 60 40 30 65 20 90 80
Biomedia/Plantation - - - - - - 19
E&M WORK (%OF TOTAL CAPITAL
COST) 40 60 70 35 80 10 1
OPERATION& MAINTANEOUS COST
YEARLY POWER COST (LACS/MLD) 4.07 4.9 3.37 2.75 6.65 0.5 0.5
ANNUAL REPAIR COST (LACS/MLD) 2.38 1.94 1.84 2.48 1.76 0.1
CHEMICAL COST LACS/MLD 5.3 5.3 3.3 6.3 7.2 0
MANPOWER COST LACS/P.A. 12 12 12 12 12 12 2.5
TOTAL O& M COST PER YEAR 23.75 24.14 20.51 23.53 18.65 21.45 3.1
ASP: -ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS
MBBR:-MOVING BED BIOLOGICAL REACTOR
SBR:- SEQUINTIAL BATCH REACTOR
WSP:- WAST STABILIZATION POND
MBR:- MEMBRANE BIO REACTOR
UASB+EA:-UPFLOW ANAEROBIC SLUDGE BLANKET+EXTENDED AREATION

13. ADVANTAGES
• Cost-effective
• O&M expenses are negligible
• Self sustainable unit
• Facilitates recycle and reuse of water
(reuse of grey water upto 95%)
• No foul odor and no mosquito nuisance
• Aesthetically designed
• Easy to maintain & skilled manpower not required
• Also suitable for rural areas
• Tolerates fluctuations in operating conditions such as flow,
temperature and pH

14. Phytorid system is useful for treatment of waste water in following:
▪ Domestic wastewater (including decentralized Municipal waste water
treatment)
➢Colonies, Airports, Commercial complexes, Hotels
➢Open drainage
➢Cleaning of nallah water
▪ Agricultural wastewater
▪ Dairy waste
▪ Slaughter House Waste
▪ Pre treated industrial wastewater, Sugar Industries
▪ Lake restoration
Applications

15. PHYTORID system
in dwellings

16. Clear Water !!!

17. Phytorid system: 1.2MLD

18. Lake Treatment
Peripheral Phytorid
FloatingPhytorid
Contaminated
Treated

20. Phytorid for nallah water treatment

21. PHYTORID for nallah water treatment

22. References:
• Rajesh B. Biniwale, ‘Decentralised wastewater treatment including reuse
and recycle – role of constructed wetlands’ NEERI- Mumbai
• Sanjay Murlidhar Karodpati, Alka Sunil Kote, ‘Energy-efficient and cost-
effective sewage treatment using Phytorid Technology’ ISSN: 2231 –5721,
Volume-2, Issue-1, 2013
• Decentralised Wastewater Treatment and Reuse : Centre for Science and
Environment, March 2014
• Technological Options for Solid and Liquid Waste Management in Rural
Areas: Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Swachh Bharat Mission
(Gramin) Govt. of India, April 2015