Phosphorus removal in a sulfur–limestone autotrophic denitrification (SLAD) biofilter

Abstract

The sulfur-limestone autotrophic denitrification (SLAD) biofilter was able to remove phosphorous from wastewater during autotrophic denitrification. Parameters influencing autotrophic denitrification in the SLAD biofilter, such as hydraulic retention time (HRT), influent nitrate (NO3(-)), and influent PO4(3-) concentrations, had significant effects on P removal. P removal was well correlated with total oxidized nitrogen (TON) removed in the SLAD biofilter; the more TON removed, the more efficient P removal was achieved. When treating the synthetic wastewater containing NO3(-)-N of 30 mg L(-1) and PO4(3-)-P of 15 mg L(-1), the SLAD biofilter removed phosphorus of 45% when the HRT was 6 h, in addition with TN removal of nearly 100%. The optimal phosphorus removal in the SLAD biofilter was around 60%. For the synthetic wastewater containing a PO4(3-)-P concentration of 15 mg L(-1), the main mechanism of phosphorus removal was the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates.