Abstract
The adsorption of ammonium (NH 4 +) to the sludge floc matrix has been investigated in two activated sludge treatment plants. When activated sludge was extracted in 1 N KCl the extractable amounts were between 0.5 and 1.3 mg NH 4 +-N/l higher than the dissolved ammonium concentration at dissolved ammonium concentrations between 1 and 6 mg NH 4 +-N/l. The difference between the extractable and the dissolved ammonium, the exchangeable ammonium, thus represented 18–30% of the dissolved ammonium concentration. A part of this, around 0.5–0.6 mg NH 4 +-N/l was not exchangeable under the actual operational conditions in the treatment plants due to a slow desorption kinetics, but seemed to be accessible for nitrification under prolonged aeration. The highest observed amount of adsorbed ammonium corresponded to 0.4–0.5 mg NH 4 +-N/gSS. Adsorption of ammonium should be investigated in more details and included in models for nitrogen mass balances for activated sludge.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
