Biofilter Media Research Articles

Hydraulic conductivity and phosphorus adsorption preference of various waste bricks used as storm-water bio-filter media

Hydraulic conductivity and phosphorus adsorption preference of various waste bricks used as storm-water bio-filter media

Industrial and agricultural wastes as a potential biofilter media for groundwater nitrate remediation

Industrial and agricultural wastes as a potential biofilter media for groundwater nitrate remediation

Microbial dynamics in RAS water: Effects of adding acetate as a biodegradable carbon-source

This study evaluated the effect of an abrupt increase in easily biodegradable carbon (acetate) on bacterial activity and abundance in the water of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The study included a batch experiment with RAS water only, and an experiment at system level where twelve pilot scale RAS were used. The batch experiment was made to test how acetate concentration would influence the microbial state in RAS water. Further, we wanted to observe if the selected microbial analysis tools would be able to detect these changes. The second experiment was carried out in twelve identical and independent RAS that had been operated under constant loading conditions (1.6 kg/m3 make-up water) for five months prior to the trial. The twelve RAS were divided into four treatment groups in triplicates: i) control with submerged biofilter (Ctrl + bf); ii) control without submerged biofilter (Ctrl-bf); iii) acetate addition in RAS with submerged biofilter (Ac + bf); and iv) acetate addition in RAS without submerged biofilter (Ac-bf). The biofilter media from the groups without submerged biofilter (Ac-bf and Ctrl-bf) was removed just 5 h prior to the start of the trial. The two acetate treatment groups (Ac + bf and Ac-bf) were spiked with 40 mg/L of acetate three consecutive times (0, 24 and 48 h). Consumption of acetate, bacterial abundance and bacterial activity were followed for 72 h after the first acetate spike for both experiments. Bacterial activity was quantified by BactiQuant® and hydrogen peroxide (HP) degradation assay. Bacterial abundance was assessed by quantifying micro-particles and free-living bacteria. In the batch experiment we observed a significant increase in bacterial activity proportional to the amount of acetate added, and a corresponding significant increase in microparticles (1–3 μm). In the pilot scale RAS experiment, the acetate addition in RAS with submerged biofilter did not cause an increase in bacterial activity, or in the number of microparticles in the water phase but a significant increase in bacterial activity and number of microparticles were observed in the RAS without submerged biofilter (Ac-bf). These changes were particularly pronounced shortly after each acetate spike.In RAS with submerged biofilters, the acetate was presumably consumed primarily by the bacterial community within the biofilm, and consequently, only minor changes were observed in densities of free-living bacteria in the water phase. The results of the study suggest that heterotrophic bacteria in the submerged biofilter have a high capacity to handle fluctuation of organic matter loading in RAS, thereby stabilizing the abundance and activity of bacteria in the water column.

Use of mature compost as filter media and the effect of packing depth on hydrogen sulfide removal from composting exhaust gases by biofiltration.

A study was conducted to investigate the utilization of mature compost as a biofilter medium for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the exhaust gases of the composting process. Source-selected kitchen waste from municipal solid waste was composted in a reactor, and the exhaust gas was passed through a biofilter packed with a 1:4 (wet weight) mixture of mature compost and sand. Two treatments were applied under sterilized and unsterilized conditions to quantify the contribution of microbial activity. The effect of packing depth on H2S removal efficiency was also studied. A global H2S removal efficiency of 51% was obtained in the biofilter for loading rates in the range of 0-429mgH2Sm-3h-1. The adsorption capacity was the main factor affecting H2S removal efficiency, contributing 64.2% to the total removal efficiency, with microbial activity contributing 35.8%. The relationship between the cumulative amount of H2S removed and the packing height was well-described by a linear equation. The equation indicated that 99% H2S removal efficiency could be achieved using a packing height of 96cm for unsterilized packing material or 158cm for sterilized packing material.

Perspective on the control of invasive mesquite trees and possible alternative uses

Abstract: Mesquite trees continue to invade forests and range lands in many countries across the world. The cost to remove these trees is staggering. In Texas, landowners spent $25 million over a 10-year period to clear 300.000 ha of mesquite trees, a fraction of the 22 million ha of Texas land affected by this invasion. Estimates are that the mesquite continues to negatively impact one to two percent of additional land in selected counties each year in Texas. However, the problem is not unique to Texas, but rather to the 44 species of mesquite trees, belonging to the genus Prosopis found in the pea family (Fabaceae), introduced across the southern United States, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. In response, researchers are searching for economically viable uses for harvested trees and seeds to provide an alternative to the high cost of removal. If viable uses for harvested mesquite trees and seeds are found, then sustained pressure will limit and ultimately reduce the negative impact from these invasive trees. One key factor to controlling this invasive species is to find economically and environmentally sustainable uses to help pay the costs of removal or perhaps make removal less necessary. Traditional uses of mesquite are as a building material, as a source of food for both animals and humans and as wood for charcoal. Emerging uses of mesquite are new applications as a biofuel and as a bio-filter medium for water. Moreover, forestry land management of mesquite has adapted to include the tree as a component of hunting lands. New control methodologies and technologies are based on an increased understanding of mesquite growth patterns, using recommended practices that reduce control and eradication costs while improving the efficiency of land management. Previous land management practices have proven that excessive application of herbicides, physical removal of mesquite trees, or human-induced brush fires, if not carefully planned, only worsen mesquite infestations. The growing problem of mesquite land management provides an opportunity for continued research into novel ways to utilize mesquite biomass, of both wood and seed pods.

왕겨펠렛 생물담체 개발 및 이를 이용한 bio scrubber형 악취제거 시스템 성능평가

왕겨펠렛 생물담체 개발 및 이를 이용한 bio scrubber형 악취제거 시스템 성능평가

Study on the Factors Affecting the Start-Up of Iron-Manganese Co-Oxide Filters for Ammonium and Manganese Removal from Groundwater.

The high concentration of ammonium (NH4+-N) and manganese (Mn2+) in underground water poses a major problem for drinking water treatment plants. Effective catalytic oxidative removal of NH4+-N and Mn2+ by iron-manganese co-oxide film (MeOx) filters was first developed by our group in a previous study. In this study, several identical pilot-scale filters were employed to optimize the start-up process for simultaneous removal of NH4+-N and Mn2+ from potable water supplies. Experiments were conducted to assess the influence of Mn2+ concentration, Fe2+ concentration, filtration rate and dosing time on the start-up period of the filter. Results demonstrated that the ability of the filter to remove completely 1.5 mg/L NH4+-N could be achieved on the sixth day at the soonest and the removal of Mn2+ could reach 1 mg/L by the 18th day. Filter R3 feeding with 1 mg/L Fe2+, 2 mg/L Mn2+ and 3.5 mg/L MnO4− during the start-up period exhibited the optimum NH4+-N and Mn2+ removal effect. Short dosing time was not conducive to attaining full NH4+-N removal in filters, especially the activity of NO2−-N conversion to NO3−-N. The compositional analysis and element distribution analysis results demonstrated that there was an abundance of C, O, Mn, Mg, Fe, Ca and Si across the entire area of the surface of the filter media and the elemental distribution was homogeneous, which was different from the biofilter media. Knowledge-guided performance optimization of the active iron-manganese co-oxide could pave the way for its future technological use.

EFFECTIVENESS OF BIOFILTER MADE FROM PLASTIC WASTE TO DECREASE BOD, COD AND AMMONIA OF HOSPITAL WASTEWATER

This study aims to determine the influence of biofilter made from plastic waste to decrease BOD, COD and Ammonia content and to determine the efficacy of its use to decrease BOD, COD and Ammonia content from the hospital’s wastewater. This study utilized aerobic biofilter processing through a batch system. Variables used in this research are wastewater processing through biofilter media made from plastic waste and processing without biofilter media, with 36 hours retention time. The parameters are BOD, COD and Ammonia content. From the statistical analysis, the use of biofilter media made from plastic waste gives a significant effect to decrease BOD and Ammonia content but made no significant effect to decrease COD. Plastic waste biofilter processing system is very effective to decrease BOD (84,85%), less effective to decrease COD (31,73%) but effective enough to decrease ammonia (50,60%), meanwhile, the standard quality of plastic waste biofilter processing system is effective to reduce BOD and COD content but not effective to reduce the ammonia content after 36 hours of processing time. Further research is needed to study the efficacy of biofilter media made from other type of plastic waste. Moreover, a combination of anaerob-aerobic biofilter processing is required to improve processing efficacy.
 
 Keywords: biofilter; plastic waste; hospital wastewater; BOD; COD; ammonia

Investigation of Biologically Stable Biofilter Medium for Methane Mitigation by Methanotrophic Bacteria

AbstractThis study investigates the use of biologically stable materials including lava rock and biochar as alternative biofilter materials to common biodegradable materials such as compost. The re...

New Zealand plant growth trials in rapid bio-filtration media

Abstract Media used in rapid bio-filtration devices have hydraulic conductivity rates exceeding 2,500 mm/hr. Stormwater360 New Zealand has partnered with Contech Engineered Solutions (USA) to produce a rapid bio-filtration medium using locally available materials. Current bio-filtration guidance limits the hydraulic conductivity of media to less than 300 mm/hr to support plant growth. Using a short-term plant trial (3 months) and 4 ongoing plant trials (>11 months) plant growth was assessed. In total 99 plants were grown (26 different tree, shrub and grass species), of which 91 plants (92%) and 23 plant species (88%) successfully established and grew in the rapid filtration medium.

Predicting Dispersion and Pollutant Concentration of Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS) from a Biofilter Under Various Atmospheric Conditions

Meat rendering plants convert waste animal materials into value added products. During the conversion process, several highly odorous compounds such as ammonia, ethylamines, hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, and methyl mercaptan are released into the atmosphere. Due to odorous nature, these compounds cause nuisance to the community who live in the neighborhood of the meat rendering plant; thus, plant received regular odor complaints. Although installation of gas-phase biofilters alleviates the problem of odor complaints, the successful operation of a biofilter depends on many parameters such as maintaining optimum moisture content of the biofilter media, sufficient empty bed residence time (EBRT), high surface area for mass transfer, acceptable mechanical resistance to avoid bed compaction, and good environment for bacterial growth. Deficiencies in the operational parameters of a biofilter can lead to high level of pollutant release into the environment. In this work, dispersion of pollutants that are released from an industrial biofilter, installed in Ontario, Canada, is investigated. Dispersion model CALPUFF was used to predict pollutant concentrations and dispersion under various atmospheric conditions. Influence of wind directions, plume paths, atmospheric conditions, and removal efficiency of the biofilter are investigated.

Microbial community response reveals underlying mechanism of industrial-scale manganese sand biofilters used for the simultaneous removal of iron, manganese and ammonia from groundwater

Most studies have employed aeration–biofiltration process for the simultaneous removal of iron, manganese and ammonia in groundwater. However, what’s inside the “black box”, i.e., the potential contribution of functional microorganisms behavior and interactions have seldom been investigated. Moreover, little attention has been paid to the correlations between environmental variables and functional microorganisms. In this study, the performance of industrial-scale biofilters for the contaminated groundwater treatment was studied. The effluent were all far below the permitted concentration level in the current drinking water standard. Pyrosequencing illustrated that shifts in microbial community structure were observed in the microbial samples from different depths of filter. Microbial networks showed that the microbial community structure in the middle- and deep-layer samples was similar, in which a wide range of manganese-oxidizing bacteria was identified. By contrast, canonical correlation analysis showed that the bacteria capable of ammonia-oxidizing and nitrification was enriched in the upper-layer, i.e., Propionibacterium, Nitrosomonas, Nitrosomonas and Candidatus Nitrotoga. The stable biofilm on the biofilter media, created by certain microorganisms from the groundwater microflora, played a crucial role in the simultaneous removal of the three pollutants.

Degradation of recalcitrant naphthenic acids from raw and ozonated oil sands process-affected waters by a semi-passive biofiltration process

In this study, a fixed-bed biofiltration system (biofilter) that utilized indigenous microorganisms was developed for the reclamation of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). With the assistance of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), indigenous microorganisms from OSPW were able to attach to the surface of sand media and form biofilms. The number of total bacteria on the biofilter media reached a steady state (109/g) after 23 days of operation. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/HRMS) analysis showed that 21.8% of the classical naphthenic acids (NAs) removal was achieved through the circulation of raw OSPW on the biofilter for 8 times (equivalent to a hydraulic retention time of 16 h). When ozonation with utilized ozone dose of 30 mg/L was applied as pretreatment, the classical NAs in the ozonated OSPW were removed by 89.3% with an accelerated biodegradation rate of 0.5 mg/L/h. Compared with other biofilm reactors such as moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), ozonation pretreatment could benefit the biodegradation of NAs in the biofilter more (classical NA removal: 89.3% vs. 34.4%), especially for those with high carbon number and cyclicity. The combined ozonation-biofiltration process could remove 92.7% of classical NAs from raw OSPW in 16 h. Although both ozonation and biofiltration alone did not show degradation of oxidized NAs from raw OSPW, the combined process led to a 52.9% and 42.6% removal for O3-NAs and O4-NAs, respectively, which were the dominant oxidized NA species in OSPW. Metagenomic sequencing analysis showed that Rhodococcus was the dominant bacterial genus on the sand media, which may play a crucial role during the NA biodegradation. With the advantage of high NA removal efficiency, the combined ozonation-biofiltration process is a promising approach for NA degradation and shows high potential to be scaled up for in-situ OSPW treatment.

Decreasing of BOD Concentration on Artificial Domestic Wastewater Using Anaerob Biofilter Reactor Technology

Pollution of domestic wastewater becomes an urban problem. Domestic wastewater contains a variety of pollutants. One of the pollutant parameters in domestic wastewater is BOD. Domestic wastewater which BOD concentrations exceeding the quality standard will be harmful to the environment, particularly the receiving water body. Therefore, before being discharged into the environment, domestic wastewater needs to be processed first. One of the processing that has high efficiency, low cost and easy operation is biofilter technology. The purpose of this research was to analyze the efficiency of BOD concentration reduction in domestic wastewater with anaerobic reactor biofilter using volcanic gravel media. The type of reactor used is an anaerobic biofilter made of glass which volume of 30 liters while the biofilter media is volcanic gravel. In this research the established HRT were 24, 12, 6 and 3 hours. The results showed that the efficiency of BOD concentration reduction in artificial domestic wastewater reached 80%.

Effects of biofilter media depth and moisture content on removal of gases from a swine barn

ABSTRACTMedia depth (MD) and moisture content (MC) are two important factors that greatly influence biofilter performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of MC and MD on removing ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and nitrous oxide (N2O) from swine barns. Biofiltration performance of different MDs and MCs in combination based on a mixed medium of wood chips and compost was monitored. A 3 × 3 factorial design was adopted, which included three levels of the two factors (MC: 45%, 55%, and 67% [wet basis]; MD: 0.17, 0.33, and 0.50 m). Results indicated that high MC and MD could improve NH3 removal efficiency, but increase outlet N2O concentration. When MC was 67%, the average NH3 removal efficiency of three MDs (0.17, 0.33, and, 0.50 m) ranged from 77.4% to 78.7%; the range of average H2S removal efficiency dropped from 68.1–90.0% (1–34 days of the test period) to 36.8–63.7% (35–58 days of the test period); and the average outlet N2O concentration increased by 25.5–60.1%. When MC was 55%, the average removal efficiency of NH3, H2S, and N2O for treatment with 0.33 m MD was 72.8 ± 5.9%, 70.9 ± 13.3%, and –18.9 ± 8.1%, respectively; and the average removal efficiency of NH3, H2S, and N2O for treatment with 0.50 m MD was 77.7 ± 4.2%, 65.8 ± 13.7%, and –24.5 ±12.1%, respectively. When MC was 45%, the highest average NH3 reduction efficiency among three MDs was 60.7% for 0.5 m MD, and the average N2O removal efficiency for three MDs ranged from –18.8% to –12.7%. In addition, the pressure drop of 0.33 m MD was significantly lower than that of 0.50 m MD (p < 0.05). To obtain high mitigation of NH3 and H2S and avoid elevated emission of N2O and large pressure drop, 0.33 m MD at 55% MC is recommended.Implications: The performances of biofilters with three different media depths (0.17, 0.33, and 0.50 m) and three different media moisture contents (45%, 55%, and 67% [wet basis]) were compared to remove gases from a swine barn. Using wood chips and compost mixture as the biofilters media, the combination of 0.33 m media depth and 55% media moisture content is recommended to obtain good reduction of NH3 and H2S, and to simultaneously prevent elevated emission of N2O and large pressure drop across the media.

Design and Manufacturing of High Surface Area 3D‐Printed Media for Moving Bed Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment

AbstractThe specific surface area and topology of a biofilter media carrier is one of the most important parameters that determines the performance and efficiency of the system. In this work, mathematical models and 3D printing technologies were used to design and fabricate complex media designs that provide high specific surface area and refugia to protect biofilm from premature sloughing. Several gyroid based designs were proposed with specific surface area well beyond 2300 m2/m3. However, wall thicknesses and pore sizes that are prone to clogging determined a design that yields 1168 m2/m3 (133% larger than the baseline commercial K1 Kaldnes). Several moving bed bioreactors were constructed for laboratory testing with inoculation provided by wastewater from a fisheries operation. Preliminary results indicate that the 3D printed media can withstand the prevalent conditions in moving bed bioreactors, and that the NH3 removal rate of gyroid media is comparable to that of K1 Kaldnes. This work establishes the feasibility of using 3D printing for bioreactor media fabrication and allows for future topology optimization for enhanced operation. Future work is needed to investigate how these complex media designs might stimulate novel microbial assemblages and community metabolism that translate into yield efficiency gains in reactor performance.

High-load domestic wastewater treatment using a combined anaerobic-aerobic bio-filter with coal cinder as medium

ABSTRACTA combined anaerobic-aerobic bio-filter technology was used for field treatment of high-organic-load domestic wastewater with coal cinder as the bio-filter medium. The effects of parameters, including hydraulic retention time (HRT) and backflow ratio, on the decrease in the chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH3-N, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and turbidity were investigated. The results showed the obvious influence of the HRT and ratio of backflow on wastewater treatment. Under the optimal HRT condition of 18 h, the removal efficiencies of COD, NH3-N, TN, TP, and turbidity were 67.9%, 95.6%, 30.4%, 65.6%, and 83.8%, respectively. When the backflow ratio (2:1) was added to the treatment system, the TN removal obviously increased, and the removal efficiencies of COD, NH3-N, TN, TP, and turbidity were 88.1%, 91.7%, 69.9%, 69.6%, and 97.5%, respectively. These results indicated that the combined technology has the potential as a treatment method for high-organic-load domestic wastewater.

Assessing the Performance of Floating Biofilters for Oxidation of Methane from Dairy Effluent Ponds.

Mitigating methane (CH) emissions from New Zealand dairy effluent ponds using volcanic pumice soil biofilters has been found to be a promising technology. Because the soil column biofilter prototype previously used was cumbersome, here we assess the effectiveness of volcanic pumice soil-perlite biofilter media in a floating system to remove high concentrations of CH emitted from a dairy effluent pond and simultaneously in a laboratory setting. We measured the CH removal over a period of 11 mo and determined methanotroph population dynamics using molecular techniques to understand the role of methanotroph population abundance and diversity in CH removal. Irrespective of the season, the pond-floating biofilters removed 66.7 ± 5.7% CH throughout the study period and removed up to 101.5 g CH m h. By contrast, the laboratory-based floating biofilters experienced more biological disturbances, with both low (∼34%) and high (∼99%) CH removal phases during the study period and an average of 58% of the CH oxidized. These disturbances could be attributed to the measured lower abundance of type II methanotroph population compared with the pond biofilters. Despite the acidity of the pond biofilters increasing significantly by the end of the study period, the biofilter encouraged the growth of both type I ( and ) and type II ( and ) methanotrophs. This study demonstrated the potential of the floating biofilters to mitigate dairy effluent ponds emissions efficiently and indicated methanotroph abundance as a key factor controlling CH oxidation in the biofilter.

Biofiltration of xylene using wood charcoal as the biofilter media under transient and high loading conditions

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of wood charcoal as biofilter media under transient and high loading condition. Biofiltration of xylene was investigated for 150days in a laboratory scale unit packed with wood charcoal and inoculated with mixed microbial culture at the xylene loading rates ranged from 12 to 553gm−3h−1. The kinetic analysis of the xylene revealed absence of substrate inhibition and possibility of achieving higher elimination under optimum condition. The pH, temperature, pressure drop and CO2 production rate were regularly monitored during the experiments. Throughout experimental period, the removal efficiency (RE) was found to be in the range of 65–98.7% and the maximum elimination capacity (EC) was 405.7gm−3h−1. Molecular characterization results show Bacillus sp. as dominating microbial group in the biofilm.

Impedance-Based Moisture Content Sensor Assessment for Gas-Phase Biofilter Media

Abstract. A woodchip-based gas-phase biofilter is capable of mitigating livestock airborne ammonia efficiently with low cost. Control of the moisture content (MC) of biofilter media is critical for ammonia mitigation and limiting nitrous oxide generation. It is important to monitor the real-time biofilter MC to maintain biofilter performance. The objectives of this study were to further develop and evaluate impedance-based MC measurement and to improve methodologies to monitor the MC of gas-phase biofilters. A sensor consisting of a sensing unit (three perforated parallel plates) and a circuit generating DC voltage output was used to measure MC. The sensor readings changed significantly with stepwise MC increases, particle size distribution, and nitrogen (ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen) concentrations in biofilter media. A mathematical model was developed for the relationship between the sensor reading and MC. A statistical model was established to predict the MC in biofilter media based on the sensor reading, ammonia-nitrogen concentration, and nitrate-nitrogen concentration. Keywords: Gas-phase biofilter, Impedance, Moisture sensor, Nitrogen compounds, Particle size distribution.