title: Nitrification in a vertically moving biofilm system.
abstract: A laboratory continuous feed biofilm reactor, comprising a bulk fluid reactor, a biofilm plastic module, a feed tank, and pneumatic devices and controls, was operated for a total period of 257 days, including seeding time, to treat domestic-strength synthetic wastewater under increasing ammonium nitrogen (NH(4)(+)--N) loading rates, ranging from 0.17+/-0.01 (0.71+/-0.06 gm(-2)d(-1)) to 0.70+/-0.02 kgm(-3)d(-1) (2.9+/-0.1 gm(-2)d(-1)). The biofilm plastic module was moved vertically in and out of the wastewater in continuous cycles. The maximum NH(4)(+)-N removal rate was reached during the maximum loading phase, when a NH(4)(+)--N loading rate of 0.70+/-0.02 kgm(-3)d(-1) (2.9+/-0.1 gm(-2)d(-1)) was applied to the system. During this loading period, the average NH(4)(+)--N removal rate was 0.30+/-0.10 kgm(-3)d(-1) (1.30+/-0.40 gm(-2)d(-1)).
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prendergast
mesh_terms: D000643:Ammonium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*; D018441:Biofilms; D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D000643:Ammonium Chloride