Nitrification of synthetic wastewater in a cross flow medium trickling filter

Abstract

The nitrification performance of a synthetic wastewater was investigated in a cross flow medium trickling filter. The attachment of biomass on packing medium was studied. The reactor was operated continuously for three different hydraulic loading rates 5, 9 and 13␣m³/m² · d under various influent ammonium concentrations. The maximum specific surface nitrification rate was about 1.21 g/m² · d. There was a good agreement between actual and predicted alkalinity consumption. The ammonium conversion along the filter depth was also investigated. The external surface of the nitrifying biofilm was captured by scanning electron microscope. The results are found to be satisfactory.