• AWWA ACE95077
Provide PDF Format

Learn More

AWWA ACE95077

  • Biomass Growth and Distribution in Drinking Water Biofilters and Its Impact on Natural Organic Matter Removal
  • Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 01/01/1995
  • Publisher: AWWA

$12.00$24.00


The objectives of this study were to assess the biomass growth and distribution in a biofilter, modify the homgeneous biofiltration model to a more representative heterogenous biofiltration model and validate the heterogeneous model by comparing the model predictions with experimental results. Monod-type kinetics were used to model the utilization of the quickly-biodegradable NOM, and first-order kinetics were used to model the utilization rate of the slowly-biodegradable NOM. The model assumes that the utilization rate of each NOM fraction varied with filter depth due to the distribution of biomass. Biomass growth and distribution in the biofilters at different organic carbon loading rates, i.e. different filter velocities and similar DOC concentrations, was evaluated. The results showed that the biomass growth rate was high at the top of the biofilters and decreased as the filter depth increased. Also, the growth rate was higher at a higher organic carbon loading rate at the same filter depth, suggesting that the amount of NOM was the limiting factor for biomass growth in this study. Additionally, the results showed that most of the biomass growth occurred in the first few minutes of empty bed contact time (EBCT), indicating a relationship between the utilization of the quickly-biodegradable NOM and biomass growth. After the biomass distribution profile was fully developed, most of the biomass was distributed at the top of the biofilters. The results showed that the biomass distribution was independent of filter velocity, but was a function of EBCT for a given influent water quality.

Related Products

AWWA WQTC60611

AWWA WQTC60611

Comparison of an Anionic Polymer to No Polymer Addition for Treating Filter Backwash Water..

$12.00 $24.00

AWWA MTC64524

AWWA MTC64524

Integrated Approach to Construction and Startup of the 96 mgd Lakeview WTP for the Region of Peel..

$12.00 $24.00

AWWA INF52174

AWWA INF52174

Field Performance Monitoring of a Sliplined Watermain..

$12.00 $24.00

AWWA ACE59836

AWWA ACE59836

Water Conservation in Georgia Bringing Efficiency into Mainstream Thinking..

$12.00 $24.00