Abstract
Biological filtration is an effective technique for removing organic matter from wastewater. The performance of a biofilter can be influenced by a range of operational conditions. In this study the performance of biofilters was investigated for the influence of filter media depth, influent concentrations, filtrations rates and backwashing. The results show that performance of GAC filters decreased with shallower filter bed depths. In addition, the GAC performed better at lower influent concentration and lower filtration rates. The daily backwash adopted to avoid the physical clogging of the biofilter did not have any significant effect on the organic removal efficiency of the filter. The concentration, activity and characteristics of the biomass are quantified and described. A mathematical model was developed to simulate the organic removal of the GAC biofiltration system. The performance of the GAC filter under different influent organic concentration levels, filtration rates and filter bed depths was adequately simulated by the mathematical model developed for this study.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
B. Eikebrokk and T. Thorsen, AWWA/AWQC workshop, Berlin, Germany (2001).
R. M. Clark and B. K. Boutin, Controlling disinfection by-products and microbial contaminant in drinking water, Ohio, USA (2001).
G. McKay, Use of adsorbents for the removal of pollutants from wastewater, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL (1996).
A. J. Rachwal and M. J. Bauer, Comparisons between slow sand and high rate biofiltration in advances in slow sand and alternative biological filtration, Chichester, UK (1996).
B.W. Dussert and W.G. Tramposch, Impact of support media and properties on the biological treatment of drinking water. In advances in slow sand and alternative biological filtration, Chichester, UK (1996).
R. Y. Ikemoto and T. J. Komori, Water & Environ. Tech., 1(1), 7 (2003).
K. H. Carlson and G. L. Amy, Ozone-induced biodegradation and removal of NOM and ozonation by-products in biological filters. Advances in slow sand and alternative biological filtration, Chichester, UK (1996).
A. A. Daifullah and B. S. Girgis, Coll. Surf. A: Physic. Eng. Asp., 235(1–3), 1 (2004).
G. Y. Seo and Y. Suzuki, Desali, India, 106, 39 (1996).
D. S. Chaudhary, Adsorption: filtration hybrid system in wastewater treatment and reuse, Ph.D Thesis, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (2003).
T. T. L. Hoang, Granular activated carbon (GAC) biofilter in water and wastewater treatment, Master Thesis, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (2005).
A. M. Dlamini, Microbial biopolymers from whey; production & applications, PhD Thesis, University of Western Sydney, Australia (1997).
D. S. Chaudhary, S. Vigneswaran and H. H. Ngo, IWA international conference, New Delhi, India (2002).
R.M. Hozalski, Removal of biodegradable organic matter in drinking water biofilter: Experimental studies and model development, Maryland, USA (1996).
R. Ganesh and R. A. Ramanujam, International conference on advances in industrial wastewater treatment, Chennai, India (2005).
J. Z. Wang, Ame. Water Works Assoc., 87(2), 55 (1995).
P. Servais, G. Billen and P. Bouillot, Environ. Eng., 120, 888 (1994).
G. Bitton, Wastewater microbiology, New Jersey, USA (2005).
.G. Shim, D. Chaudhary, S. Vigneswaran, H. H. Ngo, J.W. Lee and H. Moon, Korean J. Chem. Eng., 21, 212 (2004).
G. F. Andrews and C. Tien, AIChE J., 27, 396 (1981).
C. Alonso, M. T. Suidan, G. A. Sorial, F. L. Smith, P. Biswas, P. J. Smith and R. C. Brenner, Biotechnol. Bioeng., 54, 583 (1997).
C. Alonso, M. T. Suidan, B. R. Kim and B. J. Kim, Environ. Sci. Technol., 32, 3118 (1998).
P. Lu and P.M. Huck, AWWA water quality technology conference, Miami, USA (1993).
R. Ahmad and A. Amirtharajah, J. Am. Water Works Assoc., 90, 74 (1998).
R. M. Hozalski and E. J. Bouwer, Wat. Res., 1, 198 (2000).
H. T. Chang and B. E. Rittmann, Environ. Sci. Technol., 21, 273 (1987).
H. T. Chang and B. E. Rittmann, Environ. Sci. Technol., 21, 280 (1987).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hoang, T.T.L., Vigneswaran, S., Ngo, H.H. et al. Performance evaluation and mathematical modelling of granular activated carbon biofiltration in wastewater treatment. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 25, 259–267 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-008-0046-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-008-0046-x