Study of biological aerated filters for the treatment of effluents from the citrus industry.

The primary objective of this research study was to test the applicability and optimize the design parameters of a system of biological aerated filters in order to obtain an optimal effluent from the citrus industry, which would allow its drainage into the municipal sewer system. Expanded clay was used as a support material. After experimenting with both countercurrent and cocurrent flows as well different aeration levels, it was found that cocurrent flow was more efficient. Backwashing was carried out on a daily basis. The results of our study showed that for an aeration of 10.47 Nm3/h/m2, the volumetric load should be less than 20 Kg. COD/m3/d in order to obtain an effluent with a maximum concentration of 600 mgCOD/L, and the hydraulic load should be less than 0.36 m/h.