The Modified Trickling Filter: A Mathematical Model

Redox dynamics at a dynamic capillary fringe for nitrogen cycling in a sandy column

Optimization of enhanced biological wastewater treatment processes using a step-feed approach

Landfill is one of the important sources of carbon tetrachloride (CT) pollution, and it is important to understand the degradation mechanism of CT in landfill cover for better control. In this study, a simulated landfill cover system was set up, and the biotransformation mechanism of CT and the associated micro-ecology were investigated. The results showed that three stable functional zones along the depth, i.e., aerobic zone (0-15 cm), anoxic zone (15-45 cm) and anaerobic zone (> 45 cm), were generated because of long-term biological oxidation in landfill cover. There were significant differences in redox condition and microbial community structure in each zone, which provided microbial resources and favorable conditions for CT degradation. The results of biodegradation indicated that dechlorination of CT produced chloroform (CF), dichloromethane (DCM) and Cl- in anaerobic and anoxic zones. The highest concentration of dechlorination products occurred at 30 cm, which were degraded rapidly in aerobic zone. In addition, CT degradation rate was 13.2-103.6 μg/(m2·d), which decreased with the increase of landfill gas flux. The analysis of diversity sequencing revealed that Mesorhizobium, Thiobacillus and Intrasporangium were potential CT-degraders in aerobic, anaerobic and anoxic zone, respectively. Moreover, six species of dechlorination bacteria and eighteen species of methanotrophs were also responsible for anaerobic transformation of CT and aerobic degradation of CF and DCM, respectively. Interestingly, anaerobic dechlorination and aerobic transformation occurred simultaneously in the anoxic zone in landfill cover. Furthermore, analysis of degradation mechanism suggested that generation of stable anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic zone by regulation was very important for the harmless removal of full halogenated hydrocarbon in vadose zone, and the increase of anoxic zone scale enhanced their removal. These results provide theoretical guidance for the removal of chlorinated pollutants in landfills.

Simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) is, in theory, a key advantage of aerobic granular sludge systems over conventional activated sludge systems. But practical experience and literature suggests that SND and thus total nitrogen removal are limited during treatment of municipal wastewater using AGS systems. This study thus aims at quantifying the extent and understanding the mechanisms of SND during treatment of municipal wastewater with aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems. Experiments (long-term and batch-tests) as well as mathematical modelling were performed. Our experimental results demonstrate that SND is significantly limited during treatment of low-strength municipal wastewater with AGS systems (14–39%), while almost full SND is observed when treating synthetic influent containing only diffusible substrate (90%). Our simulations demonstrate that the main mechanisms behind limited SND are (1) the dynamics of anoxic zone formation inside the granule, (2) the diffusibility and availability of electron-donors in those zones and (3) the aeration mode. The development of anoxic zones is driven by the utilisation of oxygen in the upper layers of the granule leading to transport limitations of oxygen inside the granule; this effect is closely linked to granule size and wastewater composition. Development of anoxic zones during the aerobic phase is limited for small granules at constant aeration at bulk dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of 2 mgO2 L−1, and anoxic zones only develop during a brief period of the aerated phase for large granules. Modelling results further indicate that a large fraction of electron-donors are actually utilised in aerobic rather than anoxic redox zones – in the bulk or at the granule surface. Thus, full SND cannot be achieved with AGS treating low strength municipal wastewater if a constant DO is maintained during the aeration phase. Optimised aeration strategies are therefore required. 2-step and alternating aeration are tested successfully using mathematical modelling and increase TN removal to 40–79%, without compromising nitrification, and by shifting electron-donor utilisation towards anoxic redox conditions.

Wastewater treatment plants are known to be important point sources for nitrous oxide (N2O) in the anthropogenic N cycle. Biofilm based treatment systems have gained increasing popularity in the treatment of wastewater, but the mechanisms and controls of N2O formation are not fully understood. Here, we review functional groups of microorganism involved in nitrogen (N) transformations during wastewater treatment, with emphasis on potential mechanism of N2O production in biofilms. Biofilms used in wastewater treatment typically harbour aerobic and anaerobic zones, mediating close interactions between different groups of N transforming organisms. Current models of mass transfer and biomass interactions in biofilms are discussed to illustrate the complex regulation of N2O production. Ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are the prime source for N2O in aerobic zones, while heterotrophic denitrifiers dominate N2O production in anoxic zones. Nitrosative stress ensuing from accumulation of NO2 − during partial nitrification or denitrification seems to be one of the most critical factors for enhanced N2O formation. In AOB, N2O production is coupled to nitrifier denitrification triggered by nitrosative stress, low O2 tension or low pH. Chemical N2O production from AOB intermediates (NH2OH, HNO, NO) released during high NH3 turnover seems to be limited to surface-near AOB clusters, since diffusive mass transport resistance for O2 slows down NH3 oxidation rates in deeper biofilm layers. The proportion of N2O among gaseous intermediates (NO, N2O, N2) in heterotrophic denitrification increases when NO or nitrous acid (HNO2) accumulates because of increasing NO2 −, or when transient oxygen intrusion impairs complete denitrification. Limited electron donor availability due to mass transport limitation of organic substrates into anoxic biofilm zones is another important factor supporting high N2O/N2 ratios in heterotrophic denitrifiers. Biofilms accommodating Anammox bacteria release less N2O, because Anammox bacteria have no known N2O producing metabolism and reduce NO2 − to N2, thereby lowering nitrosative stress to AOB and heterotrophs.

Enhanced performance and mechanisms of sulfamethoxazole removal in vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland by filling manganese ore as the substrate

Coupling of sponge fillers and two-zone clarifiers for granular sludge in an integrated oxidation ditch

In this research, a novel packed anoxic/oxic moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was established to achieve high-organic matter removal rates, despite the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 2.7-5.1 in the influent. Simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) was investigated under a long sludge retention time of 104days. The system exhibited excellent performance in pollutant removal, with chemical oxygen demand and total nitrogen (TN) enhanced to 93.6-97.4% and 34.4-60%, respectively. Under low C/N conditions, the nitrogen removal process of A/O MBBR system was mainly achieved by anaerobic denitrification. The increase of C/N ratio enhanced SND rate of the aerobic section, where dissolved oxygen was maintained at the range of 4-6mg/L, and resulted in higher TN removal efficiency. The microbial composition and structures were analyzed utilizing the MiSeq Illumina sequencing technique. High-throughput pyrosequencing results indicated that the dominant microorganisms were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level, which contributes to the removal of organics matters. In the aerobic section, abundances of Nitrospirae (1.12-29.33%), Burkholderiales (2.15-21.38%), and Sphingobacteriales (2.92-11.67%) rose with increasing C/N ratio in the influent, this proved that SND did occur in the aerobic zone. As the C/N ratio of influent increased, the SND phenomenon in the aerobic zone of the system is the main mechanism for greatly improving the removal rate of TN in the aerobic section. The C/N ratio in the aerobic zone is not required to be high to exhibit good TN removal performance. When C/NH4+ and C/TN in the aerobic zone were higher than 2.29 and 1.77, respectively, TN removal efficiency was higher than 60%, which means that carbon sources added to the reactor could be saved. This study would be vital for a better understanding of microbial structures within a packed A/O MBBR and the development of cost-efficient strategies for the treatment of low C/N wastewater.

Microsensor techniques were used to investigate in situ the simultaneous occurrence of sulfate reduction and nitrogen removal in a membrane aerated biofilm reactor. H2S, O2, pH, ORP, NH4(+) and NO3(-) microsensors were fabricated and used to measure the profiles inside the membrane aerated biofilm. Production and consumption rates of H2S, O2, NH4(+) and NO3(-) were estimated using corresponding concentration profiles. The results showed that in anoxic zone, located from the interface between biofilm and bulk liquid to about 550 μm below the interface, both sulfate reduction and denitrification occurred. Highest H2S production rates (around 0.27 mg L(-1)s(-1)) were found about 400 to 450 μm below the interface. Below the anoxic zone, an aerobic zone was present. High H2S oxidation activity occurred at around 550-700 μm below the interface. High oxygen consumption rates (0.34 mg L(-1)s(-1)) occurred at around 750-900 μm below the interface. Nitrification activity occurred at about 500-650 μm below the interface. Along the entire biofilm depth, pH changed slightly (within 0.2 unit). Near the interface of the aerobic and anoxic zone, there was a drastic redox potential change. These results demonstrated simultaneous sulfate reduction and nitrogen removal in a piece of membrane aerated biofilm.

Since the ammonia in the effluent of the traditional water purification process could not meet the supply demand, the advanced treatment of a high concentration of NH4+-N micro-polluted source water by biological activated carbon filter (BACF) was tested. The filter was operated in the downflow manner and the results showed that the removing rate of NH4+-N was related to the influent concentration of NH4+-N. Its removing rate could be higher than 95% when influent concentration was under 1.0 mg/L. It could also decrease with the increasing influent concentration when the NH4+-N concentration was in the range from 1.5 to 4.9 mg/L and the dissolved oxygen (DO) in the influent was under 10 mg/L, and the minimum removing rate could be 30%. The key factor of restricting nitrification in BACF was the influent DO. When the influent NH4+-N concentration was high, the DO in water was almost depleted entirely by the nitrifying and hetetrophic bacteria in the depth of 0.4 m filter and the filter layer was divided into aerobic and anoxic zones. The nitrification and degradation of organic matters existed in the aerobic zone, while the denitrification occurred in the anoxic zone. Due to the limited carbon source, the denitrification could not be carried out properly, which led to the accumulation of the denitrification intermediates such as NO2−. In addition to the denitrification bacteria, the nitrification and the heterotrophic bacteria existed in the anoxic zone.

MODIFICATION OF EXTENDED AERATION PLANTS IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, TO ACHIEVE DENITRIFICATION

This paper is focused on the evaluation of the applicability of low-cost sensors (pH and ORP) versus nutrient analysers for controlling biological nitrogen removal in WWTPs. A nutrient removal pilot plant located in Carraixet WWTP (Valencia, Spain) that is equipped with a significant number of nutrient analysers and low-cost sensors was used. The relations between reliable, cheap on-line sensors such as pH and ORP (located in anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic zones) and the nitrification/denitrification processes are provided. The nitrification process can be evaluated by measuring the pH difference between the first and last aerobic zones. The denitrification process can be evaluated by measuring the pH difference between the first and last anoxic zones and the ORP in the last anoxic zone. Furthermore, when WWTPs include an anaerobic reactor, the ORP in the anaerobic zone can also be used. With all these factors in mind, these sensors give valuable information for applying advanced control systems such as fuzzy logic-based controllers. Also, low-cost sensors involve lower investment, maintenance and operational costs and lower energy consumption derived from aeration and pumping than nutrient analysers. Thus, low-cost sensors can be successfully used as an attractive alternative to nutrient analysers to control biological nitrogen removal in WWTPs.

A pilot scale process was operated with A-stage effluent (ASE) and primary clarifier effluent (PCE) in MLE, all tanks aerated, A/O, and A2O configurations. Continuous DO control at high DO (2mg/L), low DO (0.1-0.3mg/L), ammonia-based aeration control (ABAC), and ammonia versus NOx (AvN) control (both continuous and intermittent operation) were compared on the basis of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal, and simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND). The highly loaded adsorption/bio-oxidation (A/B) process configuration (4hr HRT) with intermittent aeration was capable of achieving a maximum TIN removal of 80%, while the A2O process with PCE feed, an 11hr HRT, and 0.2-0.3mg/L DO continuous aeration achieved a maximum of 88% TIN removal. ABAC and AvN control did not always result in DO setpoints low enough to achieve SND, and even if setpoints were low enough to achieve SND that did not always result in increased overall TIN removal over continuous DO control of 2mg/L. While there are other benefits to transitioning to sensor driven aeration control strategies such as ABAC and AvN, increased TIN removal during continuous aeration is not guaranteed. Results suggest that although low DO is a prerequisite for SND, carbon availability for denitrification in the aerobic zone is more likely to be the limiting factor once low DO conditions are met. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Intermittent aeration control results in higher TIN removal than continuous aeration at the same total SRT Continuous aeration AvN control is not likely to result in more TIN removal than continuous aeration ABAC for a given COD and nitrogen load Configurations that are designed to maximize predenitrification (e.g., MLE and A2O) are less likely to achieve increased SND in the aerobic zone from low DO operation than configurations that are not (e.g., A/O).

Advanced nutrient removal in a continuous A2/O process based on partial nitrification-anammox and denitrifying phosphorus removal

Simultaneous nitrification-denitrification in a fluidized bed reactor