title: Comparison of bioreactors with different kinds of submerged packed beds for domestic wastewater treatment.
abstract: The performance of aerobic submerged packed bed reactors was studied for the treatment of domestic wastewater using different kinds of packing materials with high specific areas (760-1,200 m(2)/m(3)). The tested materials were ceramic spheres, crushed tezontle, grains of high density polyethylene (HDPE), of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and of polypropylene (PP), cubes of polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene tape (SESSIL). The bioreactors were operated in continuous regime, applying organic loads in the range of 0.8-6.0 g COD.m(-2).d(-1). The obtained specific COD removal rates were very similar in all the reactors when they were operated at organic loads up to 2.0 g COD.m(-2).d(-1), after which differences in effectiveness appeared and the best results were determined in the reactors with SESSIL, LDPE and PU. Very low TSS, O&G and turbidity were obtained in all the effluents. The NH(3)-N and TN removals were dependent on the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and the removals at DO of 5 mg/l were 84-99% and 61-74% respectively. The best removals were determined in the reactors with PU, SESSIL and LDPE. The reactor with tezontle had also a good performance when operated with loads up to 1.0 g TN.m(-2).d(-1). The best phosphate removals (38-49%) were obtained in the reactors with PU, tezontle, ceramic sheres and SESSIL.
authors.affiliation: Mexican Institute of Water Technology, Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Col. Progreso, Jiutepec, Morelos, México. petiam@tlaloc.imta.mx
authors.forename: P Mijaylova
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nacheva
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moeller Chávez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bustos
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Garzón Zúñiga
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hornelas Orozco
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000145:classification*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008800:Mexico; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020959:Polyethylene; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012722:Sewage; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012722:Sewage; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010758:Phosphorus; D020959:Polyethylene; D009584:Nitrogen