Fixed film phosphorus removal--flexible enough?

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Background:

• Biological phosphorus removal (BPR) traditionally used large activated sludge systems.
• Attached growth enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) offers compact alternatives with high biomass retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of attached growth systems for enhanced biological phosphorus removal.
• To investigate the combination of activated sludge and biofilm carriers for improved wastewater treatment.

Main Methods:

• Research into applying alternate anaerobic/aerated conditions to fixed bacteria in biofilm reactors.
• Development and evaluation of integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) systems.

Main Results:

• Attached growth systems are more compact than traditional activated sludge processes.
• EBPR systems require backwashing for phosphorus extraction, posing control challenges.
• Integrated fixed-film activated sludge systems demonstrate potential for compact tankage and low nutrient levels.

Conclusions:

• Attached growth systems present an attractive, compact approach to EBPR.
• Combining suspended and attached growth systems (IFAS) offers novel treatment opportunities.
• Further exploitation of IFAS systems can lead to efficient, biologically-based wastewater treatment.