Title: Performance evaluation of an aerobic biofilter with high organics containing synthetic wastewater

Authors: Subrata Hait, Debabrata Mazumder

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208 016, India. ' Department of Civil Engineering, Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur, P.O. Botanic Garden, Howrah, West Bengal, 711 103, India

Abstract: The organics removal performance of a lab-scale aerobic biofilter of volume 0.6 L was studied using synthetic wastewater and waste automobile tyre-tube beads as media. The column study was performed under Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in the range of 500-1500 mg/L at an empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 2 h. The treatability constant at 27°C was found to be 41.963. A maximum COD removal efficiency of about 90% was attained at a COD loading rate of about 6 kg/m³/day. The biofilter handled a COD loading rate of about 17.9 kg/m³/day showing a COD removal efficiency of about 76%.

Keywords: aerobic biofilters; organics removal; tyre-tube beads; column study; synthetic wastewater; COD; chemical oxygen demand; wastewater treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2009.025113

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2009 Vol.37 No.2/3, pp.141 - 149

Published online: 13 May 2009 *

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