Performance of fluidized bed bioreactor containing wire-mesh sponge particles in wastewater treatment

Synthetic wastewater treatment performance of a continuous-flow, fluidized bed bioreactor was investigated at different particle number densities. Porous-sponge particles surrounded by steel wires were used as support material. COD removal rate and efficiency increased from R = 1150 mg l−1 h−1 and E = 68% to R = 1400mg l−1 h−1 and E = 96% when particle number density (PND) increased from PND = 551−1 to PND = 4401−1 at a constant hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 9 h. The systemʹs performance was also evaluated at different hydraulic residence times (ΘH = 3–9 h) with a high particle number density of PND = 6701−1. Synthetic wastewater used throughout the studies consisted of diluted molasses, urea, K2HPO4 and MgSO4 resulting in a ratio of COD/N/P = 100/10/1. Zooglea ramigera was the dominant microorganism in the FBBR. Apparent Monod kinetic constants of the system were determined as rm = 1250 mg l−1 h−1 and Ks = 1150 mg l−1 by using the experimental data for PND = 6701−1.