Full scale comparison of heterotrophic and nitrifying RBC biofilms

Heterotrophic and nitrifying biofilms, from the secondary and tertiary full-scale Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) were investigated. Physical properties and structural features, such as, water content, organic portion (VS/TS), density, thickness, porosity, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental technology 2004-02, Vol.25 (2), p.165-171
Main Authors: Meng, Q.E., Ganczarczyk, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
autotrophic biofilms
Biofilm structure
Biofilms
Bioreactors
Chemical Phenomena
Chemistry, Physical
Exact sciences and technology
fractal characteristics
General purification processes
heterotrophic biofilms
Nitrogen - metabolism
Pollution
Porosity
RBC processes
Sewerage works: sewers, sewage treatment plants, outfalls
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Wastewaters
Water - analysis
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Heterotrophic and nitrifying biofilms, from the secondary and tertiary full-scale Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) were investigated. Physical properties and structural features, such as, water content, organic portion (VS/TS), density, thickness, porosity, and fractal characteristics, including boundary/surface roughness, and Sierpinski and internal pore boundary fractals were examined. The results indicated that the heterotrophic biofilms were thicker and had higher porosity, larger internal voids, and faster growth and sloughing rates than the nitrifying biofilms. The nitrifying biofilms had much higher density TS and VS/TS ratio than the heterotrophic biofilms. In contrast to earlier results from laboratory scale studies, full-scale biofilms had structures and properties (porosity, density, and fractal dimensions) of more irregular spatial distribution.
ISSN:0959-3330
1479-487X
DOI:10.1080/09593330409355449