Abstract
The presence of ammonia, usually in the form of ammonium ion ($NH_4{^+}$), can enhance bacterial growth m the distribution system and make the production of drinking water more costly if ammonium must be removed to ensure good disinfection. Removal of ammonia by biological oxidation could be economical which prevents excess chlorine dosage In this research, effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and media type on the ammonia removal efficiencies of submerged biofilm reactor were investigated. The biofilm reactors combined the characteristics of high biological solids capture efficiency and good hydraulic control. The results indicate that biofilms can remove over 77 percent of the ammonia with HRT of longer than 2 hr even at low temperature ranging from 14.6 to $16.6^{\circ}C$. The HRT has a significant effect on nitrification. The overall nitrification and efficiency of ammonia removal increase with increasing HRT. It has also been observed that when the fibrous media was used, the ammonia removal, nitrification rate and endurance to shock improved.
