More than fifty wastewater treatment plants worldwide (representing several millions p.e) are equipped with up-flow biofiltration reactors (BioforR). Their range of application encompasses municipal as well as industrial wastewater. A summary of the results achieved in a large number of plants is presented, accompanied by a description of the operating parameters and the treatment limitations with regard to various pollutants (C, N, P). The separation of functions into specific reactors combined with optimized wash conditions guarantees high treatment efficiency.
In order to obtain compact plants and to assure a greater treatment reliability, fixed film reactors have been developed. This biofiltration has been applied and proved for over a decade for carbon removal. Today, new applications appear in nitrogen and phosphate removals, which are able to respond to the upgrading of aging waste water treatment plants. Full scale plant results are presented in nitrification. The use of two stages of biofilm reactors (C + N) permits high effluent quality. Chemical phosphate removal and denitrification results obtained on pilot tests are also discussed. Some plants are now been built with such processes.
The VEAS concept, in Oslo, which includes four steps of fixed film reactors is discussed as an example of this present upgrading tendency.
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