Horizontal-Flow Biofilm Reactors for the Removal of Carbon and Nitrogen from Domestic-Strength Wastewaters

Michael Rodgers, Eoghan Clifford

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer)Articlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigated the performance of a horizontal-flow biofilm reactor in treating domestic-strength synthetic wastewater (SWW) under three hydraulic and chemical oxygen demand (COD) loading rates (phases 1 to 3) ranging from 152 L m(2) . d and 58.9 g COD m(2) . d to 497 L m(2) . d and 192.7 g COD m(2) . d, respectively; the rates were based on the top surface plan area (TSPA) of the reactor. The reactor comprised a stack of 30 horizontal polystyrene sheets. The SWW, intermittently dosed onto the unit, flowed over and back along sequential sheets in the stack before exiting at the bottom of the unit.Maximum average removals of 98% biochemical oxygen demand and 96.2% total ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N) were observed. The TSPA COD and NH4-N removal rates were high for all phases. The unit provides a high-performance, economic, low-maintenance, and flexible alternative for removing carbon and ammonium from low-flow point sources. Water Environ. Res., 81, 339 (2009).
Original languageEnglish (Ireland)
Pages (from-to)339-347
Number of pages9
JournalWater Environment Research
Volume81
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2009

Keywords

  • Biofilm reactor
  • Biofilm technology
  • Domestic wastewater remediation
  • Nitrification
  • Organic carbon removal

Authors (Note for portal: view the doc link for the full list of authors)

  • Authors
  • Rodgers, M,Clifford, E

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