Water denitrification by displacement biofiltration: transition of designed biofilter to the stationary mode

Abstract

This work was aimed at creating a simple and reliable submersed biofilter for the decentralized treatment of nitrate-contaminated water. Denitrification of water was performed by the method of displacement (piston) biofiltration in specially designed U-shaped devices intended for residential use. The efficiency of biofiltration in these devices was evaluated under the conditions of their continuous service. The biofilter exhibited an essential increase in the rate of denitrification when transferring to the stationary mode. Hence, the consumer will have the opportunity of supplying big portions of nitrate-contaminated water into the biofilter in one gulp (pulse) and simultaneously getting the same amount of deeply denitrified water. This mode of biofilters exploitation prevents the clogging of the filtration bed and the channeling in it. The design of the created biofilters is rather simple. Materials with a minimum carbon footprint can be used to fabricate these devices.