Abstract. Biological filter (bio-filter) exhibits a high potential for sustainability because construction and maintenance cost are low. When bio-filters are used as pre-treatment or post-treatment technology, other treat steps in the combined treat process could prevent clogging and get better process stability and performance efficiency. This study considered bio-filters for reducing the amounts of various wastewaters, i.e., high-strength sewage, municipal wastewater and secondary effluent water, using five kinds of media. The results obtained indicate significant improvement in organics removal when influent COD are 1500 mg/L and 2500 mg/L for anaerobic and aerobic biofilters, respectively. Sufficient alkalinity would obviously improve the substrate removal in an anaerobic bio-filter, when treating high-strength wastewater. The performances of bio-filters are adequate for further removal of the residual organic material and nutrient elements for tertiary domestic wastewater treatment.

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