IFAS systems use biofilm growth to help remove organic materials from waste streams. During an IFAS process, biofilm carriers are mixed in an activated sludge basin or a combination of activated sludge and water.
The process allows for two different biological populations to work together with mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) breaking down most of the organic matter and a nitrifying population oxidizing the nitrogenous load. IFAS systems also enable additional biomass to remain fixed on the surface, eliminating the need to increase the suspended growth population.
These IFAS systems are often retrofitted onto existing activated sludge systems to take advantage of existing treatment infrastructure and upgrade conventional activated sludge systems with advanced technology. IFAS upgrades can significantly improve treatment capacity without requiring much extra space — part of why they’re so effective at upgrading existing wastewater treatment systems.
In addition, IFAS systems are commonly used for BOD removal, nitrification, denitrification and full Biological Nutrient Removal. IFAS systems often have very high BOD and TSS removal rates — as high as 98.2% and 97.1%, respectively — making these systems a highly effective means of wastewater treatment.
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