Flocked Bioconversion Media for Ammonia/ Water Bioremediation II: Physical and Mechanistic Aspects of Bioconversion Processes

By extrapolating (exponential) plots of ammonium ion depletion rates (ADR) vs. water flow rate curves to the zero water flow rate, a new parameter called the intrinsic ammonia depletion rate (ADR _(i) ) has been defined. This parameter is helpful in understanding the ammonia/water bioremediation process. ADR _(i) , representing the ammonium ion depletion rate for bio-media under quiescent, equilibrium ammonia/water conditions, should be an inherent property of the bio-media material itself, and can serve as an ADR effectiveness rating index for various bio-media. In the reported work, flocked bio-media were shown to exhibit overall higher ADR _(i) values than non-flocked media. The bio-reaction's physical (hydrodynamic) process mechanism appears to be different for non-flocked and flocked media classifications. A short term “live fish” aquaculture field trial was also carried out.