Treatment of Wastewater Using Different Fixed Beds Reactors-A Pilot Plant Study

The present investigation was aimed to study removal of COD and NH₃-N in two fixed bed reactors, one filled with fibrous coconut coir and the other with alternate pebble bed with corrugated sheets. The experimental study was conducted for a batch mode of operation. The bio-reactors were continuously aerated and fed with hostel sullage having an initial average COD of 890 mg/L and NH₃-N of 70 mg/L. The reactor with coconut coir showed appreciable amount of COD removal of 79% to 84% and nitrification of 56% to 71% for a detention period of 4-16hrs. The reactor with alternate pebble bed with corrugated sheets showed COD removal of 70% to 75% and NH₃-N of 50% to 65%. The use of various fixed beds having higher surface area is effective in removing COD and nitrogen levels in domestic sullage with high organic impurities. Fibrous materials like coconut coir seem to be a promising option in removal of COD and NH₃-N comparing to conventional attached growth bed such as pebble bed along with corrugated sheets.