Removal of High Concentration of Iron, Manganese and Ammonia Nitrogen from Low Temperature Groundwater Using Single Bio-filter

Abstract

A pilot-scale bio-filter was constructed for the removal of high concentrations of iron (TFe 9.0-12.0 mg·L-1, Fe(Ⅱ) 6.5-8.0 mg·L-1), manganese (1.9-2.1 mg·L-1), and ammonia nitrogen (1.4-1.7 mg·L-1) simultaneously from low temperature (5-6℃) groundwater in a plant. The results showed that iron was removed at the beginning of the bio-filter start-up, and manganese and ammonia nitrogen were removed on day 72 and day 75, respectively. The start-up period was influenced by the culture temperature and the raw water quality. For higher filtration rates, the removal of manganese was lower. When the filtration rate was more than 1.0 m·h-1, the maximum removal of manganese was about 3.0 mg·L-1. Manganese was the limiting factor for the increase of filtration rate, and the maximum filtration rate of the single bio-filter was 4.5 m·h-1. When the filtration rate was less than 6.0 m·h-1, the removal of ammonia nitrogen was about 1.5 mg·L-1, which was not affected by the filtration rate. Dissolved oxygen (DO) deficiency led to failure with the removal of more ammonia nitrogen. The required thickness of the bio-filter required for purification increased as the concentration of manganese and ammonia nitrogen increased when DO was sufficient. The removed iron, manganese, and ammonia nitrogen move to the depth of the filter layer, and there will be "manganese dissolution" when the filtration rate is increased. Iron and ammonia nitrogen in the filter layer can be oxidized and removed simultaneously. Manganese is oxidized and removed after the iron and ammonia nitrogen. The effective oxidation and removal section of manganese, iron, and ammonia nitrogen are obviously graded.