Comparison of bioreactors with different kinds of
submerged packed beds for domestic wastewater
treatment
P. Mijaylova Nacheva, G. Moeller Chávez, C. Bustos,
M. A. Garzón Zúñiga and Y. Hornelas Orozco
ABSTRACT
P. Mijaylova Nacheva
G. Moeller Chávez
M. A. Garzón Zúñiga
Mexican Institute of Water Technology,
Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Col. Progreso,
Jiutepec, Morelos 62550,
México
E-mail: petiam@tlaloc.imta.mx;
gmoeller@tlaloc.imta.mx;
mgarzon@tlaloc.imta.mx
C. Bustos
Y. Hornelas Orozco
National University of Mexico,
Ciudad Universitaria,
Coyoacan, México D.F. 04510
México
E-mail: hornel@mar.icmyl.unam.mx
The performance of aerobic submerged packed bed reactors was studied for the treatment of
domestic wastewater using different kinds of packing materials with high specific areas (760–
1,200 m2/m3). The tested materials were ceramic spheres, crushed tezontle, grains of high density
polyethylene (HDPE), of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and of polypropylene (PP), cubes of
polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene tape (SESSIL). The bioreactors were operated in continuous
regime, applying organic loads in the range of 0.8–6.0 g COD.m22.d21. The obtained specific COD
removal rates were very similar in all the reactors when they were operated at organic loads up to
2.0 g COD.m22.d21, after which differences in effectiveness appeared and the best results were
determined in the reactors with SESSIL, LDPE and PU. Very low TSS, O&G and turbidity were obtained
in all the effluents. The NH3ZN and TN removals were dependant on the dissolved oxygen (DO)
concentration and the removals at DO of 5 mg/l were 84–99% and 61–74% respectively. The best
removals were determined in the reactors with PU, SESSIL and LDPE. The reactor with tezontle had
also a good performance when operated with loads up to 1.0 g TN.m22.d21. The best phosphate
removals (38–49%) were obtained in the reactors with PU, tezontle, ceramic sheres and SESSIL.
Key words | aerobic biofilters, submerged bed, wastewater treatment
INTRODUCTION
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