[Model of regularity of ammonia transformation along marine biological aerated filter]

This study investigates the biological aerated filter (BAF) of a marine recirculating aquaculture system, which is important to remove harmful ammonia and organics. A model, characterizing the ammonia transformation along the BAF, was established on the basis of the principle of adsorption and the first order reaction bio-film. Experiments were performed and verified the effectiveness of the proposed model. The target BAF was packed with bamboo ring for 70 cm high. Study under the conditions [pH 7.1-7.6, DO 5-7 mg x L(-1), gas water ratio about 20 : 1, organic load about 4 g x (m3 x h)(-1)] shows that ammonia is removed significantly under the 10 cm height of medium, while less ammonia is removed between 10-70 cm. Experimental results confirm that the model predicts the ammonia concentration along the BAF accurately with a low influent ammonia concentration, but the predicted value is slightly lower than the true value with a high influent ammonia concentration. Study on ammonia concentration along the BAF reveals that the effluent ammonia concentration increases along with either the increment of the influent ammonia concentration or the reduction of the hydraulic retention time.