The role of particulates in biofilm reactors

The kinetics of degradation of particulates in biofilms is complicated and is still not well described. We have chosen to make unsteady experiments, such that the sequence of variations of loading is designed to reveal important features of particulate adsorption and degradation in the biofilter. The experiments include mass balances on the basis of Total Carbon (TOC and TIC). Experiments in lab. scale and pilot scale have shown that only af small fraction of the particulates are degraded in the period between backwash, to the benefit of digestion and gas production in the treatment plant; but to the detriment of the availability of organic matter for denitrification in the biofilters.