METHOD FOR THE PURIFICATION OF WASTE WATER AND ORGANIC FILTER FOR USE IN THE PURIFICATION OF WASTE WATER.

摘要

A biological filter apparatus, and process for using the same, wherein organic pollutants in a waste water stream may be biologically degraded by a biomass of suitable microorganisms located on the surface of a packing. The filter comprises a sealed vessel in which the packing having the biomass thereon is located, and the waste water, mixed with several volumes of liquid recycle, is allowed to trickle downwardly through the packing countercurrently to ascending gases, effluent liquid is removed from the bottom of the vessel at a rate sufficient to maintain the level of effluent liquid below the packing in order to prevent the packing from being submerged in liquid. The apparatus and process are applicable to the anaerobic methanogenic processes wherein methane is produced as a product; and are also applicable to non-methanogenic processes which are conducted in the absence of added molecular oxygen wherein combined nitrogen is converted to molecular nitrogen. Extrinsic gases may be added to the filter at a point below the packing to aid in the degradation.