Optimal Aerations in the Inverse Fluidized Bed Biofilm Reactor When Used in Treatment of Industrial Wastewaters of Various Strength

Włodzimierz Sokół

Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Technology and Life Sciences, Bydgoszcz, Poland.

DOI: 10.4236/aces.2012.23046                

Abstract

The aim of this work was the determination of the optimal aerations, and more specifically the corresponding optimal air velocities u_opt, at which the largest COD removals were achieved in treatment of industrial wastewaters of various strength conducted in the inverse fluidized bed biofilm reactor. The largest COD removals were achieved at the following air velocities u_opt and retention times t_s, and (V_b/V_R) = 0.55: i) for COD_o = 72,780 mg/l at u_opt = 0.052 m/s and t_s = 80 h ; ii) for COD_o = 62,070 mg/l at u_opt = 0.042 m/s and t_s = 65 h; iii) for COD_o = 49,130 mg/l at u_opt = 0.033 m/s and t_s= 55 h ; iv) for COD_o = 41,170 mg/l at u_opt = 0.028 m/s and t_s = 45 h; v) for COD_o = 35,460 mg/l at u_opt = 0.025 m/s and t_s = 27.5 h; and vi) for COD_o = 26,470 mg/l at u_opt= 0.014 m/s and t_s = 22.5 h. In the treatment operation conducted in a reactor optimally controlled at the above values of u_opt, t_s and (V_b/V_R), the following decreases in COD were obtained: i) from 72,780 to 5410 mg/l; ii) from 62,070 to 3730 mg/l; iii) from 49,130 to 2820 mg/l; iv) from 41,170 to 1820 mg/l; v) from 35,460 to 1600 mg/l; and vi) from 26,470 to 1180 mg/l, that is, approximately a 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 95% and 96% COD reduction was attained, respectively.

Keywords

Optimal Aeration; Aerobic Wastewater Treatment; Biological Wastewater Treatment; Inverse Biofilm Reactor; Fluidized Bed Bioreactor; Low-Density Biomass Support

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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