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PUREFLOW BIO / ENGINEERING FIELD GUIDE

Trickle FiltersBiological Filtration and Degassing in One

Trickle (shower) filters explained: how water rains over media, oxygenation, degassing and pH, cooling, media choice, placement and troubleshooting.

Explore the process ↗Open the workbench
9 MIN GUIDEUPDATED NOVEMBER 2026
Reference illustration for Trickle Filters: Biological Filtration and Degassing in OneEQUIPMENT REFERENCE
Equipment reference illustration. Confirm the supplied model configuration and installation arrangement from its approved documentation.
01Understand the mechanismInspect the relevant process stages.
02Review the operating dutyKeep assumptions and measured values visible.
03Prepare the next decisionUse the guide, tools and project checks.
INTERACTIVE PROCESS ATLAS

See the mechanism.
Understand the duty.

Select a route or a stage to inspect the process. The cutaway explains the equipment and water environment; it is a teaching illustration, not a project drawing.

Swipe horizontally to inspect the equipment. Stage buttons below also centre the selected component.
Aerated biological treatment and samplingPUREFLOW / INTERACTIVE PROCESS ATLASCONCEPT LAYOUT · NOT TO SCALETAN-NpH°CPRE-SCREENED SUPPLYBIOFILM ON MOVING CARRIERSMEASURE THE PROCESSAIR DISTRIBUTIONNH₄⁺ → NO₂⁻ → NO₃⁻Motion explains the process; it is not a measured flow rate or biological time model.
Pre-screened water reaches the biological stage and continues through the retained-media outlet.
Selected process stage

Feed the reactor

Define peak feed and the nitrogen load.

How it works

Pre-screened water enters the biological stage. Effective upstream solids removal helps protect the reactor.

What to establish
  • Define peak feed and the nitrogen load.
  • Check oxygen, pH, alkalinity and temperature.
  • Use supported media performance and the specified fill arrangement.

Continue this guide ↗

Motion explains direction and mechanism; it does not represent measured performance. Geometry, stage order, pipe routes and equipment configuration are conceptual. Use the approved project design, operating instructions and verified model data.

Key takeaways

  • Water rains over media in open air, so oxygen and CO2 exchange are excellent.
  • Degassing raises pH slightly.
  • Cooling is welcome in summer, less so in winter.
  • Keep distribution even so media stays wet.
Reference illustration for Trickle Filters: Biological Filtration and Degassing in One
Equipment reference visual; not evidence of a completed installation.
THE SHORT ANSWER

From the top tray to the pond in four steps

  1. The distribution tray spreads the waterEvenly across the media.
  2. The water rains over the mediaBiofilm treats it.
  3. Air flows through the towerGas exchange.
  4. Oxygen-rich water flows backTo the pond or tank.
Trickle Filters - Pureflow Bio
Reference visual. Equipment configuration and project details must be confirmed separately.
Trickle Filters - Pureflow Bio
Reference visual. Equipment configuration and project details must be confirmed separately.
BIOFILTERS

Air and water meet in every drop

Degassing and pH

CO2 leaves the water, which tends to raise pH. See CO2 in RAS.

Cooling

Evaporation cools the water, helpful in summer and a drawback in winter.

PLANNING WORKBENCH

Work with your own numbers.

Use the tools below to explore the relevant arithmetic. Enter measured values or declared assumptions. An estimate does not establish equipment capacity, biological performance or a safe operating limit.

Flow & turnover planner

Relate a measured water volume to a selected turnover time. Confirm the time from the application and hydraulic design.

Assumptions and limits

A planning allowance is your assumption. This calculation does not choose a filter, prove treatment capacity or account for pump head.

—Base flow · m³/h
—Planning flow · m³/h
—Planning flow · L/h
Enter your values, or load the labelled arithmetic example. No design values are pre-filled.
FormulaFlow = volume ÷ turnover time. Planning flow = flow × (1 + allowance ÷ 100).
Convert units before you calculate
Choose units and enter a value.

Planning arithmetic · inputs remain visible for review · example values are not operating recommendations

BIOFILTERS

Which media goes in?

Open, light plastic media with good surface area and airflow. See media types.

BIOFILTERS

Where it goes

After solids removal. It can work alongside a moving bed filter. UV-C and a return pump complete the loop.

BIOFILTERS

Trickle filter or moving bed?

TrickleMoving bed
How it worksStatic media in airMedia moved by air under water
OxygenFrom the airFrom bubbles
CO2 strippingVery goodGood
Air pumpNot neededRuns 24/7
BIOFILTERS

Keeping it healthy

Part of the media stays dryUneven distribution. Clean the tray.
Sludge on the mediaImprove solids removal.
Nitrite stays highImmature or overloaded.
Rotten-egg smellAnaerobic pockets. Increase flow and clean.
The pond cools too much in winterCover the tower.
Water level dropsEvaporation.

Pureflow Bio equipment for this

Trickle filters →Biological stage with degassing.MBBR biofilters →Moving bed biofilters.Standard drum filters (RDF) →Automatic solids removal.
PROJECT REVIEW

Check the biological assumptions

Use these questions to prepare a project brief or an operating review. Check an item only when the information has been recorded for your installation.

0 of 3 checked

This checklist is a working aid in the current page session, not a saved maintenance record.

QUESTIONS

Trickle Filters FAQ

Do trickle filters need an air pump?

No.

Do they cool the water?

Yes, through evaporation.

Can I combine with MBBR?

Yes, often.

KEEP READING
Biological filters→Moving bed biofilters→Biofilter media→CO2 in RAS→How to Size a Biofilter: TAN Load, Media and Reactor Volume ↗

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