Feasibility of in-situ sludge fermentation coupled with partial denitrification: Key roles of initial organic matters and alkaline pH

Abstract

Achieving partial denitrification (PD) by using fermentation products extracted from waste activated sludge (WAS) rather than commercial organic matters is a promising approach for providing nitrite for anammox, while sludge reduction could also be realized by WAS reutilization. This study proposed an In-situ Sludge Fermentation coupled with Partial Denitrification (ISFPD) system and explored its performance under different conditions, including initial pH, nitrate concentrations, and organic matters. Results showed that nitrite production increased with the elevation of initial pH (from 6 to 9), and the highest nitrate-to-nitrite transformation ratio (NTR) reached 77% at initial pH 9. The PD rates and NTR were observed to be minimally influenced by initial nitrate concentrations. Acetate was preferred by denitrifying bacteria, while macromolecules such as proteins necessitated be hydrolyzed to be suitable for further utilization. The insights gained through this study paved the way for efficient nitrite production and sustainable WAS reutilization in harmony.