MICROBIAL ATTACHMENT PROPERTIES IN EXPANDED-BED, ACTIVATED CARBON ANAEROBIC FILTERS.

A completely mixed, expanded-bed, anaerobic granular activated carbon filter was operated on synthetic wastewaters in which acetate was the only organic carbon source. Steady-state performance was achieved for two influent acetate concentrations: namely, 800 and 1,600 mg/l. Steady-state removal efficiencies in chemical oxygen demand, dissolved organic carbon, and acetate exceeding 96, 97, and 98 percent were obtained, respectively. A steady-state biofilm kinetic model was employed for analyzing the two sets of 'steady-state' data. The modeling effort was successful in describing trends and effects; however, insufficient data were available to properly calibrate the model and obtain reliable values for the parametric constants.