Submerged biotower technology for tertiary nitrification of poultry abattoir wastewater

The paper describes the design and operation of a submerged biotower, i.e. flooded upflow reactor which utilises a random-packed polypropylene medium for supporting the biomass. The process can be used for carbonaceous remova l or nitrification. In the application which is described, the process has been used for tertiary nitrification of a poultry abattoir wastewater as an extension to the existing effluent-treatment plant. Details of process com missioning at low temperatures are given and results from twelve months' op eration are discussed. Operating costs are compared with other processes.