Analyzing Biofilm Processes Used in Biological Filtration

Because they mitigate water quality problems such as coliform regrowth and tastes and odors, biological processes are likely to become an essential part of drinking water treatment. Although biological treatment with biofilm processes is widely used in Europe and is gaining interest in North America, no rational basis is yet available for its design and operation. This article reviews the principles of biofilm kinetics and applies those principles to analysis of the design and performance of a variety of biofilm processes. Identification of four fundamental parameters and the use of normalized loading curves are critical to the analysis.