Performance of a new-type integrated biofilm reactor in treating high concentration organic wastewater

A new-type integrated anaerobic-aerobic biofilm reactor (IAOBR) was designed to treat high concentration organic synthetic wastewater. The IAOBR comprised of an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor and an aerobic one. The IAOBR experienced 38 days of startup with increasing organic load rates (OLRs) gradually, and could achieve COD removal efficiency of 84.4-96.1% and NH3-N removal efficiency as high as 91.7% during the operation phase. In that case, COD and NH3-N concentrations in the influent were 2761-4653 mg/L and 280.3-350.7 mg/L, respectively. The IAOBR exhibited excellent resistance to COD load shock. However, the increase of C/N ratio from 10.5 to 12.1 caused negative effect on nitrification. On the whole, the new-type IAOBR exhibited good potential for treating organic wastewater containing high COD and moderate NH3-N concentrations.