Publisher's Synopsis
In the last decade biofilm systems have made staggering progress. With adaptation of the process to nitrogen removal, trickling filters have become an economical alternative to activated sludge, enabling the upgrading of thousands of plants. Better understanding of rotating biological contractors has made them a preferred technology for small-scale plants, and there is growing use of biological aerated filters, especially in small-footprint nitrogen removal. High-rate fluidised bed or airlift reactors, both anaerobic and aerobic, with and without carriers, have shown their efficiency in several hundred industrial applications, leading to applications in municipal treatment. Moving bed biofilm reactors now compete with hybrid systems for upgrading existing activated sludge basins. The biofilm conference also brings together professionals studying clean water aspects of biofilms with those applying them to wastewater reactors. While the latter use the growth of fixed bacteria to optimise the efficiency of treatment systems, the former aim to combat formation of biofilms in distribution networks. But many tools for analysis and modelling can be shared, and the knowledge of what favours biofilm growth and performance can be used to inhibit their occurrence. These proceedings offer an unrivalled authoritative collection of current work worldwide on the research, development and application of biofilm systems.
