Improvement of Submerged Biofilter Process by Bioelectrochemical Method

A bioelectrochemical method was applied to a submerged biofilter process to improve its nitrogen removal performance. Packed beds of activated carbon submerged into the aerobic tank of the submerged biofilter process were used as the electrodes and support for attached microbial growth. The experiments were conducted under different temperatures, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and electric currents. The results showed that nitrification and denitrification rates were enhanced by supplying oxygen and hydrogen, respectively, from the substratum through electrolysis of water. The nitrification and denitrification rates were increased with increasing electric current. The effects of electric current on nitrification and denitrification rates were clearly shown under lower bulk liquid DO concentration. There was an optimum DO concentration to give the largest nitrogen removal rate in the bioelectrochemical compartment. The optimum DO concentration was in the range of 1.5-2.0 g/m3.