Assessment of Bio-Trickling Filter Startup for Treatment of Industrial Wastewater

The aim of the present study was to assess the bio-trickling filter startup for the treatment of wastewater produced by Pegah Dairy Company at psychrophilic condition. The startup time of a bio-trickling filter is directly proportional to the concentration of microbial population. Abio-trickling column with a height of 150 cm was packed with lava rocks with the liquid recirculated through the packing. The startup flow rate for the pilot was 0.0035 L/min, with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 days at 7-13?C. Results indicated that for HRT of 10 days, the efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was more than 85% for less than 100 g COD/m3/h. Subsequently, dairy wastewater was added to the reminder of activated sludge with the HRT of 8 days, and the nutrients were added to the pilot tank with a daily ratio of carbon/nitrogen/phosphorous: 100/5/1. For the subsequent 5 days, the pilot was maintained in a steady state. The results revealed that the pilot startup was performed completely.