Trickling Filter and Trickling Filter‐Suspended Growth Process Design and Operation: A State‐of‐the‐Art Review

Abstract

BSTRACT: The modem trickling filter typically includes the following major components: (1) rotary distributors with speed control; (2) modular plastic media (typically cross-flow media unless the bioreactor is treating high-strength wastewater. which warrants the use of vertical-flow media); (3) a mechanical aeration system (that consists of air distribution piping and low-pressure fans); (4) influent/recirculation pump station; and (5) covers that aid in the uniform distribution of air and foul air containment (for odor control). Covers may be equipped with sprinklers that can spray in-plant washwater to cool the media during emergency shut down periods. Trickling fliter mechanics are poorly understood. Consequently, there is a general lack of mechanistic mathematical models and design approaches, and the design and operation of trickling filter and trickling filter/suspended growth (TF/SG) processes is empirical. Some empirical trickling filter design criteria are described in this paper. Benefits inherent to the trickling filter process (when compared with activated sludge processes) include operational simplicity, resistance to toxic and shock loads, and low energy requirements. However, trickling filters are susceptible to nuisance conditions that are primarily caused by macro fauna. Process mechanical components dedicated to minimizing the accumulation of macro fauna such as fliter flies, worms, and snail (shells) are now standard. Unfortunately, infonnation on the selection and design of these process components is fragmented and has been poorly documented. The trickling filter/solids contact process is the most common TF/SG process. This paper summarizes state-of-the art design and operational practice for the modem trickling filter. Water Environ. Res., »3, 388 (2011).

Optimization of a full‐scale site to achieve total nitrogen removal through implementation of a denitrification‐submerged anoxic filter

“…The TFs were operated with a BOD loading of 0.09 kg/m 3 day which was appropriate for nitrification to take place, according to the existing literature (<0.12 kg BOD/m 3 day to fully nitrify, Pearce 2004). Ammonia loading to the TFs was 0.15 g/m 2 day (average), also within the limits mentioned in the literature (0.2-1.0 g NH 4 /m 2 day, Daigger & Boltz 2011). However, the ratio of organic matter to ammonia (C:NH 4 ) was 9.6, which was above the recommended value of 4 (Harnett 2007).…”

Of: Symbolic Regression of Upstream, Stormwater, and Tributary E. Coli Concentrations Using River Flows, Jagupilla, S. C. K.; Vaccari, D. A.; Miskewitz, R.; Su, T.‐L.; Hires, R. I. (2015), 87, 26‐34; correction 87, 576.

“…The potential benefits to NTFs for NH3-focused wastewater treatment are many and have been described by others (e.g., (Daigger and Boltz, 2011)). Excellent descriptions of biofilm kinetics and associated theoretical TF models have been developed and presented (e.g.…”

Design Model Parameter Analysis for Nitrifying Trickling Filters

“…In considering alternative WRRF configurations to remove ammonia-N (particularly for small communities), nitrifying trickling filters (NTFs) represent a simple operation and a potentially less costly technology as compared with conventional nitrifying activated sludge. However, while the potential benefits to NTFs are many (Daigger and Boltz, 2011), ultimately the guidance and criteria available to engineers for the design of full-scale NTFs remains underdeveloped, which could impair broader use of this treatment process.…”