Start-Up of Biological Fiber Activated Carbon in Advanced Treatment of Drinking Water

In this paper, start-up of fiber activated carbon for natural start-up in a dynamic flow was discussed, and several physical-chemical, biochemical and microbiological methods (indicators), such as NH₃-N, NO₂-N, UV₂₅₄, COD_Mn, DOC and AOC, were used to characterize the BAC biofilm´s composition and activity. The results showed that the mature biofilm was observed after 53 days of incessant operation in the condition of poor nutritional status. By contrast, it was found that the fiber activated carbon showed a faster start-up speed and higher removal efficiency of indicators. The average removals were obtained as follows: NH₃-N 40.8 %, NO₂-N 53.2 %, UV₂₅₄ 18.2 %, COD_Mn 27.6 %, DOC 15.1 % and AOC 161, respectively.