A SYNTHETIC CARRIER FOR BIOFILM ATTACHMENT FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT

摘要

The present invention relates to a biofilm support, which is a specially designed carrier material for supporting microbial growth useful in the biological treatment of wastewater. The carrier material has an inner twisted double helical structure which is enclosed in a spherical enclosure with flow through passages, designed to allow good flow of wastewater through the microbial film having been established on the surfaces. The carrier material permits formation of biofilm on its surface and thereby enhances the growth of biomass in the reactor and also increases the treatment efficiency. Each support is made of synthetic material, preferably polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene having a dimension of 25 mm in diameter and bulk density between 1.0 to 1.3 g/cmcube. The total surface area of each carrier material is larger than 0.4 m.sq preferably 0.6 m.sq. The biofilm support having higher surface area helps in the colonization of heterotrophic bacterial population in the bioreactor for the removal of organics and nutrients in the wastewater.