Abstract
An inverse fluidized-bed biofilm reactor (IFBBR) was used for the treatment of highly-emulsified oily wastewater. When the concentration of biomass which was cultivated in the synthetic wastewater reached to 6000 mg/1, the oily wastewater was employed to the reactor with a input COD concentration range of 50 mg/1 to 1900 mg/l. Virtually the IFBBR showed a high stability during the long operation period although soma fluctuation was observed. The COD removal efficiency was maintained over 9% under the condition that organic loading rate should be controlled under the value of 1.5 kgCOD/$m^3$/day, and F/M ratio is 1.0 kgCOD/kgVSS/day at $22{\circ}C$ and HRT of 12 hrs. As increasing organic loading rates, the biomass concentration was decreased steadily with decreasing of biofilm dry density rather than biofilm thickness. Based on the experimental jesuits, it was suggested that the decrease in biofilm dry density was caused by a loss of biomass inside the biofilm.
