Factors Affecting the Design and Operation of Biologically Active Filters

Over the past thirty years, biologically active filters (BAF) have been demonstrated as reliable and robust processes for wastewater treatment. These systems can be designed for carbon removal, nitrification or denitrification depending on process objectives. There are a number of configuration options with differences in media and the backwashing regime, and there are several manufacturers of each type of process equipment package. This paper is being submitted by the authors of the BAF section that was recently written for the new WEF Manual of Practice No. 8 and will cover process variations, equipment types and patent issues, and process and detailed design information for each type of BAF to assist the designer in making an independent assessment between types of BAF configurations.