The Influence of Different Support Materials to Treatment Efficiency in Packed Bed Reactors

Biological treatment, especially nitrogen removal, in an upflow packed bed reactor with immobilised biomass was studied. As a support material granulated activated carbon (GAC), ceramic material (crush brick), brown coal and cut polyethylene tubes were used. The size of the support material was 4 to 6 millimetres. In laboratory scale studies pharmaceutical wastewater was treated. Volumetric loading was from 6.8 to 7.6 g/l/day. Results of investigations showed us that aerated packed bed reactors are usable for nitrogen removal because in the reactor originates aerobic and anoxic conditions. In anoxic cones the denitrification of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia ions takes place. The most effective systems for nitrogen removal were reactors filled with granulated activated carbon and with ceramic material. In the reactor with granulated activated carbon also colour from wastewater was degraded.