Removal of phenols, thiocyanate and ammonium from coal gasification wastewater using moving bed biofilm reactor

► Treatment of coal gasification wastewater adopts the MBBR process. ► High nitrification ratio is achieved although phenols remain in the effluent. ► Decreasing HRT affects MBBR action more badly than raising influent pollutant concentration. ► We investigate the performance of suspended growth biomass in the MBBR.