Biofilm systems are efficient in the removal of organic matter and
ammonium from wastewaters. In this study, loofa sponge, a natural
product, was used as a supporting medium in an aerated submerged
fixed-film reactor to evaluate its performance in removing organic
matter and nitrogen from wastewater. Four pilot runs were performed
with chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations of 100, 200, 300 and
400 mg l-1 to provide an organic loading rate of 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4
kg m-3d-1 respectively. In these pilot runs, the influent ammonium
nitrogen concentrations were justified to 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg l-1 as N
to provide an influent nitrogen loading of 30, 60, 90 and 120 g m-3.d-1
respectively. Although soluble COD removal efficiency greater than 80
percent was achieved up to a loading rate of 2.4 kg m-3d-1, loofa
deformation and clogging after 72 days of application might be
considered a serious shortcoming during use in full-scale applications.
Nitrogen removal efficiency decreased from 85.6% at an organic loading
rate of 0.6 kg m-3d-1 to 56.1% at an organic loading rate of 2.4 kg
m-3d-1