Advanced water treatment using a meshed synthetic tube as biological filter media in pilot plant scale

The purpose of this study is to remove suspended solids (SS) and soluble organic matter from waste water using meshed synthetic tubes, made of synthetic poly propylene fiber to allow free water flow from any direction. The capacity of 450m(3)/d pilot plant was operated to treat effluent of secondary settling tank in sewage treatment plant. Removals of SS, soluble organic matter and phosphorus (w/additional chemical treatment), were monitored. As a result, maximum SS-loading rate for the plant was found 3.8kgSS/m(3)d, and operation time was limited up to 45h, and the maximum linear velocity was found 16 m(3)/m(2)h. The maximum SS removal for each unit reactor was 7.1kg/cagem(3). With the meshed tube biofilter, not only SS but also soluble organic matter removal and nitrification were observed. Because of its relatively fast filtration rate and high filtration capacity, it seemed to be used properly as a direct filtration.