Significant N2O emission from a high rate granular reactor for completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite

Abstract

Expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors were rarely applied for complete ammonium removal over nitrite. In this study, a high ammonium loading rate of 3677 mg N/L/d was achieved in an EGSB reactor. Approximately 5.5–8.5% of influent ammonium was converted to nitrous oxide (N2O) that is a potent greenhouse gas. Moreover, the percentage increased linearly with the increase in ammonium load. A model well matched the reactor dynamics. The model indicated that hydroxylamine (NH2OH) oxidation contributed to over 40% of produced N2O, and denitrification by ammonium oxidizing bacteria contributed to N2O emission significantly. Furthermore, the model suggests that a low oxygen concentration can result in a low N2O emission at the cost of a slightly low ammonium removal rate while influent organic matter play a minor role in reducing N2O emission. This study shows that EGSB reactors are effective in ammonium removal. In addition, the emission of N2O is significant.