Performance of double-layer biofilter packed with coal fly ash ceramic granules in treating highly polluted river water

To improve trickling filters’ denitrification efficiency, a biofilter with a trickling upper layer and a submerged lower layer was developed and applied in treating highly polluted river water. It was packed with porous coal fly ash ceramic granules. Its start-up characteristics, influence of hydraulic loading rates (HLR), carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio and filter depth on pollutants removal were investigated. The results indicated this biofilter was started quickly in 16 days with river sediment as inoculum. Alternating nitrification and denitrification were achieved when water flowed downwards. COD and nitrogen were mainly removed in the upper layer and the lower layer, respectively. With HLR of 4.0–5.0 m3/(m2 d), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium (NH4+–N) and total nitrogen (TN) in the effluent were below 50, 5 and 15 mg/L, respectively. This biofilter removed more than 80% of COD, 85% of NH4+–N and 60% of TN with C/N ratios ranging from 6 to 10.

► A new double-layer biofilter was developed to enhance denitrification efficiency.
► It had a trickling upper layer and a submerged lower layer.
► Coal fly ash ceramic granules with high porosity were used as packing materials.
► This biofilter was efficient in highly polluted river water treatment.
► COD and nitrogen were mainly removed in upper layer and lower layer, respectively.