Biofilm technology: from support design to reactor operation

The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility of a Sequential Batch Biofilm Reactor (SBBR) to perform carbon and nitrogen removal: from support design to reactor operation. The experimental part was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, different supports were tested to select the most suitable one for SBBR operation. In the second phase, the most appropriate support was used in a SBBR to perform carbon and nitrogen removal. The results demonstrate that the support with the highest internal surface area presented a higher biomass accumulation. Time profiles of nitrogen ions and acetate concentration showed the typical behaviour of a SBBR performing carbon and nitrogen removal. Poly-bhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was formed immediately after acetate depletion and was subsequently consumed for biomass growth, owing to the high oxygen concentration in the reactor.