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Abstract
A systematic scanning electron microscope analytical technique has been developed to examine granular activated carbon used as a medium for biomass attachment in liquid waste treatment. The procedure allows for the objective monitoring, comparing, and trouble shooting of combined processes by direct visual examination of the biomass's attachment characteristics and rating key criteria that have been found to have the greatest effect on the process's performance. These criteria include the surface characteristics of the carbon; the quantity, type, and position of the biomass; and the amount of unidentifiable material. A set of instructions along with a set of reference photographs that illustrate the rating scale of each criteria were developed as was a standard data recording form. Several investigators rated samples from a variety of bioreactors to verify the practicality and quality of the technique. A comparison of the individual ratings indicated a significant correlation with each other as well as with the reactor's operating status.