Water Purification Properties of Charcoal Bricks Made from Beer Lees

The performance of charcoal bricks made from beer lees (MaltCeramics, MC) was investigated as the material for purification of water breeding goldfish in order to compare with gravel and activated charcoal. The goldfish used in this study discharges 0.409 mg/D-g of TOC, 0.26 mg/D-g of NH4-N, 0.024 mg/D-g of NO3-N and 0.007 mg/D-g of T-P. It was confirmed that MC is useful for the carrier of microorganisms and it is possible to reduce soluble organic matter and soluble nitrogen compound such as NH4-N, NO3-N and NO2-N as same as activated charcoal. In the case of MC, NH4-N is decomposed to form NO2-N and NO3-N within 50 h. NO2-N and NO3-N are the decomposition products of NH4-N substrate and NO2-N is denitrated for 50–80 h. NH4-N and NO2-N are rapidly decomposed, but the denitrification of NO3-N is a very slow reaction. TOC is decreased down to the initial concentration level for 20–30 h. MC contains phosphorus at the ratio of about 2 wt%, which is soluble in water, and some minerals. It is considered that they would activate bacteria in water.