1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

The use of synthetic media for the development of biofilter process

AuthorThakur, Gajendra Kumar
Call NumberAIT Thesis no. EV-97-47
Subject(s)Water--Purification--Filtration
NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
Series StatementThesis ; no. EV-97-47
AbstractA conventional activated sludge treatment method of nitrification requires more detention time (in hrs.) and is expensive process. However biological filters which utilize biological activities, are very effective, and more than 90% of nitrification was achieved during the course of the research in the laboratory for detention time of less than 4 minutes. Particularly biological filters using polypropylene pellets as filter media, were found very effective in nitrification. Both fixed bed and fluidized bed condition biofilters, gave very good nitrification efficiency, up to flow velocity of as high as 300 m3 /m2 -day. Still, one using fixed bed condition, was found more efficient, and gave 99% nitrification efficiency. To the places, where ammonia-nitrogen concentration standards are very strict, fixed bed biofilters using polypropylene media can be used with a great advantage. In addition, biological activities in these filters can be used for filtration action also. During the course of the research study, fixed bed biofilter removed about 40% of the turbidity of the influent water, and thus can be used as a roughening filter, before sedimentation unit process, in the existing water utilities. The porosity of media being 68%, it accommodated more suspended solids, and frequent backwashing was not needed as breakthrough of turbidity occurred only after about 120 hrs (5 days) of operation. Also, as the biofilters used in the research work were of upflow type, very less amount of backwash water was needed in the Jab, which was concluded to be the direct advantage to conventional filters, where 2-5% of filtered volume of water is needed for backwashing operation.
Year1997
Corresponding Series Added EntryAsian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. EV-97-47
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentOther Field of Studies (No Department)
Academic Program/FoSEnvironmental Engineering and Management (EV)
Chairperson(s)Takizawa, Satoshi
Examination Committee(s)Ishibashi, Yoshinobu;Eckhardt, Ing Heinz
Scholarship Donor(s)WHO;Asain Institute of Technology Fellowship
DegreeThesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997


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