Total Inorganic Nitrogen Removal Research Articles

Development of a novel denitrifying phosphorus removal and partial denitrification anammox (DPR + PDA) process for advanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal from domestic and nitrate wastewaters

A novel energy-efficient DPR + PDA (denitrifying phosphorus removal and partial denitrification anammox) process for enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal was developed in the combined ABR-CSTR reactor. After 220 days operation, excellent total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and phosphorus removal (97.57% and 95.66%, respectively) were obtained under external C/NO3−-N of 0.7, with the effluent TIN and PO43−-P concentrations of 3.51 mg/L and 0.28 mg/L, respectively. At the steady period, DPR contributed major TN removal (58.65%), while PDA mediated an increasingly considerable impact and finally achieved 37.07%, in which anammox accounted for a significant percentage. Batch tests demonstrated that efficient PD with nitrate-to-nitrite transformation ratio of 97.67% supplying stable nitrite for anammox, and phosphorus was mainly removed using nitrate as electron acceptor via DPR with the ideal phosphorus release/uptake rate (7.73/22.17 mgP/gVSS/h). Accumulibacter (6.24%) dominated high phosphorus removal performance, while Thauera (8.26%) and Candidatus Brocadia (2.57%) represented the superior nitrogen removal performance.

A continuous plug-flow anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic/aerobic (AOAO) process treating low COD/TIN domestic sewage: Realization of partial nitrification and extremely advanced nitrogen removal

The realization of stable partial nitrification and advanced nitrogen removal are not acquired effectively in conventional pre-denitrification biological nitrogen removal processes treating domestic sewage. Herein, a novel anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic/aerobic (AOAO) continuous plug-flow reactor, characterized with double sludge reflux and a bypass of anaerobic mixed liquor conveyed to anoxic zone, was first constructed to realize stable partial nitrification in treating domestic sewage. The alternating anoxic/aerobic conditions and longer anoxic sludge retention time might be responsible for the partial nitrification. Nitrite accumulation ratio reached 89.3 ± 3.3% with the maximum activity ratio of AOB to NOB increasing from 0.72 to 8.17. A content total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal efficiency (93.7 ± 2.2%) and effluent TIN concentration (2.9 ± 0.9 mg N/L) were obtained after 238 days' operation. Specifically, nitrogen balance of the typical cycle showed that about 30.1% of TIN was removed through simultaneous partial nitrification and denitrification (SND) in aerobic zone and 48.2% by endogenous denitrification in anoxic zone. The AOAO process is an economic treatment for domestic sewage with aerobic hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 h.

Conversion of full nitritation to partial nitritation/anammox in a continuous granular reactor for low-strength ammonium wastewater treatment at 20°C.

The feasibility of converting full nitritation to partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) at ambient temperature (20°C) was investigated in a continuous granular reactor. The process was conducted without anammox bacteria inoculation for the treatment of 70mgL-1 of low-strength ammonium nitrogen wastewater. Following the stepwise increase of the nitrogen loading rate from 0.84 to 1.30kgNm-3d-1 in 320days of operation, the removal efficiency of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) exceeded 80% under oxygen-limiting conditions. The mature PN/A granules, which had a compact structure and abundant biomass, exhibited a specific TIN removal rate of 0.11gNg-1 VSSd-1 and a settling velocity of 70.2mh-1. This was comparable with that obtained at above 30°C in previous reports. High-throughput pyrosequencing results revealed that the co-enrichment of aerobic and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria identified as genera Nitrosomonas and Candidatus Kuenenia, which prompted a hybrid competition for oxygen and nitrite with nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). However, the overgrowth of novel NOB Candidatus Nitrotoga adapted to low temperatures and low nitrite concentration could potentially deteriorate the one-stage PN/A process by exhausting residual bulk ammonium under long-term excessive aeration.

Development of Primary Sludge Control Technology Based on Solids Loading Rate in Sidestream MLE Process

Objectives:By measuring the solids loading rate for the sidestream, it was intended to achieve increased treatment capacity and improved process performance by developing control technologies for primary sludge removal, recirculation, and input.Methods:The pilot plant was manufactured by the primary clarifier+MLE process similar to the full-scale plant and was configured to control the amount of sludge withdrawal based on the inflow solids loading rate. The state point analysis was used to determine removal underflow withdrawal rate and the total underflow withdrawal rate for the primary sludge. The operation was divided into manual withdrawal, automatic withdrawal, automatic withdrawal+recirculation, and automatic withdrawal + input methods. The performance evaluation items for primary sludge control technology were primary sludge concentration and SS removal efficiency for primary and secondary clarifiers. The improvement in the performance of the bioreactor by recirculation and input was judged through the removal efficiency of ammonium nitrogen, TIN (Total Inorganic Nitrogen) and phosphate phosphorus, SNR (Specific Nitrification Rate), and SDNR (Specific Denitrification Rate). The cause of the performance improvement was analyzed by comparing the acetic acid concentration changed by recirculation and the microbial community characteristics.Results and Discussion:The average value of SS monitoring of the sidestream influent was 2.2 (0.7~6.3) g/L and the primary clarifier needed treatment in response to high concentration SS and fluctuations. It is judged that the state point analysis based on the actual settling rate can accurately suggest whether the stable operation of primary sludge removal, recirculation, and input is the possible and specific design and operation standards. The automatic withdrawal that controls the underflow withdrawal rate according to the change of the inflow solids loading rate could stably draw out the high-concentration sludge and maintain the SS removal efficiency. It is believed that stable operation is possible even in the sludge recirculation operation, and the treatment capacity of the primary clarifier can be increased more than two times in a full-scale plant. By recirculation of the primary sludge, the TIN removal efficiency in the bioreactor was improved by 24.2~52.3%, and the phosphate phosphorus removal efficiency was improved by up to 20.1%. The TIN removal efficiency in the bioreactor was improved by 32.6% by the input of primary sludge. VFAs (Volatile Fatty Acids) including acetic acid was produced and the removal efficiency was improved because it was in contact with primary sludge by recirculation and the ratio of major fermentation microorganisms was present at 2.0%. It is determined that 26.4% of the main species of microorganisms treated with nitrogen and phosphorus exist in the sidestream inflow and the removal efficiency was improved by supplying microorganisms through the input of primary sludge.Conclusions:Technology that controls primary sludge removal, recirculation, and input by measuring the solids loading rate for the sidestream is believed to increase the treatment capacity of the primary clarifier and improve the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of the bioreactor.

Nitrogen Attenuation in Septic System Plumes.

The persistence of inorganic nitrogen is assessed in a set of 21 septic system plumes located in Ontario, Canada, that were studied over a 31-year period from 1988 to 2019. In the plume zones underlying the drainfields, site mean NO3 - values averaged 34 ± 27 mg N/L and exceeded the nitrate drinking water limit (DWL) of 10mg N/L at 16 of 21 sites. In plume zones extending up to 30 m downgradient from the drainfields, site mean NO3 - values averaged 24 ± 20 mg N/L and exceeded the DWL at 9 of 13 sites. Site mean total inorganic nitrogen (TIN; NH4 + + NO3 - - N) removal averaged 34 ± 26% in the drainfield zones and 36 ± 44% in the downgradient plume zones, indicating that much of the removal occurred within the drainfields. Removal was much higher at nine sites where drainfield TIN included >10% NH4 + (62 ± 25% removal). TIN removal was not correlated with wastewater loading rate, system age, or sediment carbonate mineral content, but was correlated with water table depth, where shallower water table sites had generally less complete wastewater oxidation. At many of these sites, both NO3 - and NH4 + were present together in the plumes and were lost concomitantly, suggesting that the anammox reaction was making an important contribution to the observed TIN loss. When groundwater nitrate contamination is a concern, considering on-site treatment system designs that lead to a lesser degree of wastewater oxidation, could be a useful approach for enhancing N removal.

Enhanced simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal from low COD/TIN domestic wastewater through nitritation-denitritation coupling improved anammox process with an optimal Anaerobic/Oxic/Anoxic strategy

Advanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal in a single-stage suspending-sludge system was achieved by employing a novel Anaerobic/Oxic/Anoxic (AOA) strategy over 200 days. Satisfactory total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal efficiency of 90.4% was achieved and effluent phosphorus was below 0.5 mg/L when treating domestic wastewater with the chemical oxygen demand (COD)/TIN as low as 2.98 ± 1.26. Stable nitritation was maintained with the ammonia residual and low dissolved oxygen of 0.2–0.5 mg/L at aerobic stage following by a post anoxic stage. The much higher activity of ammonia oxidation bacteria (12.99 mgN/gVSS/h) was achieved than the nitrite oxidation bacteria (0.09 mgN/gVSS/h). Notably, improved anammox performance was obtained without initial inoculation, contributing 47.4% to TIN removal. The abundance of Nitrosomonas increased from 0.12% to 0.95% (P < 0.001) and self-enrichment of anammox bacteria Ca. Brocadia was confirmed. It provided new insight into the advanced nutrient removal with comprehensible regulation and less aeration requirement.

Construction of autotrophic nitrogen removal system based on zero-valent iron (ZVI): performance and mechanism.

In this study, the performance and mechanism of nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) with and without zero-valent iron (ZVI) was investigated. The results showed that ZVI had a capacity to promote NH4+-N conversion, NO2--N accumulation and total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal, with the TIN removal rate being increased by 29.45%. The ZVI also had a significant impact on microbial community structure by means of high-throughput pyrosequencing, increasing the enrichment of Anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation) bacteria Candidatus Brocadia and Feammox (anaerobic ferric ammonium oxidation) bacteria Ignavibacterium. With ZVI addition, the main pathway of nitrogen removal was changed from nitrification-heterotrophic denitrification to Anammox and Feammox.

Effects of Plant Diversity and Plant Density on Ecosystem Functions in Floating Constructed Wetlands

Plant species diversity could enhance plant productivity and pollutant removal efficiency in constructed wetlands (CWs). However, the potential importance of plant density for ecosystem functioning has largely been neglected. In this study, we conducted a factorial experiment in which three common plant species were planted in a gradient of species richness (one, two, and three) and seven species compositions at two densities (six and twelve individuals per microcosm). Plant total biomass and total organic carbon (TOC) and total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal efficiency were measured to explore the effect of plant species diversity and density on the ecosystem functioning of CWs. Results showed that (1) plant species richness had no significant effect on plant total biomass and TOC and TIN removal efficiency under high and low plant density. (2) There were significant differences in TIN removal efficiency among seven species compositions under low plant density; especially, the presence of Canna indica reduced the TIN removal efficiency. In contrast, species composition and species identity had no significant effect on ecosystem functioning under high plant density. (3) High plant density increased plant total biomass of C. indica monocultures, and also enhanced TIN removal efficiency in mixtures of two species. These results indicated C. indica alone may not be an ideal species for enhancing pollutant removal in constructed wetlands but planting at high density could mitigate its negative effect on ecosystem functioning.

Using hydrogen peroxide to supplement oxygen for nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands

Nitrification is often the main mechanism to remove ammonium in constructed wetlands. An important factor hindering this biochemical process in constructed wetlands is the availability of dissolved oxygen. This study introduced hydrogen peroxide-based chemical oxygenation to saturated vertical flow constructed wetlands for removal of nitrogen. Hydrogen peroxide is decomposed into water and oxygen in the presence of catalase. Three hydrogen peroxide concentrations, 0.6%, 1% and 2% (w/v), were applied over three operating periods at the same dosage to test the effects of hydrogen peroxide concentration on nitrogen removal and growth of wetland plants in secondary effluent. More than 92% ammonia was removed in all the three periods. Ammonia removal via nitrification was not adversely affected by hydrogen peroxide at the tested concentrations. As hydrogen peroxide dosing concentration was increased, concentration of nitrate in the effluent decreased substantially due to stimulated plant growth and plant uptake of nitrate instead of ammonia. Dosing hydrogen peroxide to constructed wetlands extended ammonia removal via nitrification to total inorganic nitrogen removal by nitrification and stimulated plant uptake of nitrate. The optimum dosing solution appeared to be 1–2% hydrogen peroxide.

Sludge fermentation liquid addition attained advanced nitrogen removal in low C/N ratio municipal wastewater through short-cut nitrification-denitrification and partial anammox

Biological nitrogen removal of wastewater with low COD/N ratio could be enhanced by the addition of wasted sludge fermentation liquid (SFL), but the performance is usually limited by the introducing ammonium. In this study, the process of using SFL was successfully improved by involving anammox process. Real municipal wastewater with a low C/N ratio of 2.8–3.4 was treated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The SBR was operated under anaerobic-aerobic-anoxic (AOA) mode and excess SFL was added into the anoxic phase. Stable short-cut nitrification was achieved after 46d and then anammox sludge was inoculated. In the stable period, effluent total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) was less than 4.3 mg/L with removal efficiency of 92.3%. Further analysis suggests that anammox bacteria, mainly affiliated with Candidatus_Kuenenia, successfully reduced the external ammonia from the SFL and contributed approximately 28%–43% to TIN removal. Overall, this study suggests anammox could be combined with SFL addition, resulting in a stable enhanced nitrogen biological removal.

Optimization of nitrogen and carbon removal with simultaneous partial nitrification, anammox and denitrification in membrane bioreactor.

In this study, a membrane bioreactor (MBR) was used to achieve both nitrogen and carbon removal by a simultaneous partial nitrification, anammox and denitrification (SNAD) process. During the entire experiment, the intermittent aeration (non-aerobic time : aeration time, min min−1) cycle was controlled by a time-controlled switch, and the aeration rate was controlled by a gas flowmeter, and the optimal operating parameters as determined by response surface methodology (RSM) were a C/N value of 1.16, a DO value of 0.84 mg l−1 and an aerobic time (Tae) of 15.75 min. Under these conditions, the SNAD process achieved efficient and stable nitrogen and carbon removal; the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency were 92.31% and 95.67%, respectively. With the formation of granular sludge, the membrane fouling rate decreased significantly from 35.0 Pa h−1 at SNAD start-up to 19.9 Pa h−1 during stable operation. Fluorescence in situ hybrid analyses confirmed the structural characteristics and the relative ratio of aerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and denitrifying bacteria in the SNAD system.

Microbial community shift and functional genes in response to nitrogen loading variations in an anammox biofilm reactor

A lab-scale anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) biofilm reactor was operated to explore the impact of free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA) on the anammox process with nitrogen loading rate (NLR) increasing from 0.1 to 0.5 g/L.d with identical pH of 7.8. When influent NLR was less than 0.4 g/L.d, total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal efficiency maintained around 80% on average. When the NLR increased to 0.5 g/L.d, TIN removal efficiency sharply reduced to 66%. It was revealed that Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Kuenenia were the main anammox genera in this study. When NLR raised from 0.1 to 0.5 g/L.d, together with FA from 4.44 to 20.23 mg/L and FNA from 5.00 to 22.69 μg/L, the dominant anammox genus showed a shift from Candidatus Kuenenia to Candidatus Brocadia. The highest anammox community abundance of 25.3% and maximum absolute abundances of anammox-related functional genes were observed at NLR of 0.3 g/L.d, together with 12.88 mg/L FA and 14.58 μg/L FNA.

Performance and bacterial communities in unsaturated and saturated zones of a vertical-flow constructed wetland with continuous-feed

In this study, a partially-saturated vertical-flow constructed wetland (VFCW) with continuous-feed was operated to investigate nutrients transformation and possible pathways in unsaturated and saturated zones. Effect of temperature on nutrients removal and microbial community was also evaluated. The variation of temperature barely affected removal of NH4+-N and COD, achieving removal efficiencies of 99.5–100.0% and 96.8–100.0% at effluent temperature of 14.9–27.7 °C. The removal of COD, NH4+-N, total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and total phosphorus mainly occurred in unsaturated zone, achieving much higher removal rates than saturated zone. Nitrification process in the VFCW was associated with autotrophic/heterotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria and nitrite oxidizing bacteria. Denitrification process relied on both autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifiers. Anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria was also detected, contributing to TIN removal. All of the groups for nutrients removal exhibited higher abundance in unsaturated zone. Diverse pathways co-existed for nitrogen removal, while the main metabolic pathways were different along the depth.

High-rate nitrogen removal from carbon limited wastewater using sulfur-based constructed wetland: Impact of sulfur sources

This study aims to explore the application of sulfur-based constructed wetlands (CWs) for effective nitrogen (N) removal from wastewater. Two solid sulfur sources namely elemental sulfur (S0) and pyrite (FeS2) were used as substrates in two CWs, i.e. S-CW and P-CW, respectively. The CWs were vegetated with a common wetland plant Iris pseudacorus, and were operated to investigate the effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and temperature on N removal. The use of S0 resulted in the highest denitrification rate (19.0 ± 7.5 g m−2 d−1), whereas up to 20 times slower total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal was observed with FeS2. Different sulfur sources had negligible effects on the growth of I. pseudacorus, but the element contents (e.g., N, S, and P) within the plant tissues were different. Iris roots in S-CW had higher S content compared with those in P-CW, which resulted in the difference in shoots colors. The characteristics of rhizospheric microbial communities were closely related to the sulfur and nitrogen sources. Briefly, denitrifying and sulfur-oxidizing genera (e.g., Denitratisoma, Sulfurimonas, Thiobacillus) were dominating in the S-CW, suggesting the occurrence of both autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification processes in the wetland. On the other hand, nitrifying bacteria were more abundant (e.g. Nitrospira, Piscinibacter) in the P-CW. S0 layer and rhizosphere accounted for 99.3% of nitrogen removal and the former part most likely played important roles with a decrease in HRT. Low temperature strongly affected the rate and efficiency of denitrification but recovered to 49.2 ± 25.8% when added with 30 mg L−1 sodium acetate. This study broadens the applications of sulfur-based CWs and provides a promising management strategy for denitrification at low temperatures.

Deep-level nutrient removal and denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR) potential assessment in a continuous two-sludge system treating low-strength wastewater: The transition from nitration to nitritation

In a continuous two-sludge denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR) process of anaerobic anoxic oxic - moving bed biofilm reactor (AAO - MBBR), nitritation was practicable through the combined regulation of high temperature (T: 30–32 °C), short hydraulic retention time (HRT: 8 h) and low dissolved oxygen (DO: 1.0–1.5 mg/L). The system lasted for 90 days with stable nitrite accumulation ratio (NAR > 60%), and the total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal was 7% higher than complete nitrification. Ammonia oxidizing bacteria ((AOB) 6.18–9.41%) responsible for nitritation showed a clear relationship with NAR, but Nitrospira (2.11% → 2.35%) gradually outcompeted Nitrobacter (1.19% → 0.31%) under higher temperature. During the transition from nitration to nitritation, the DPR potential (characterized by ΔPO43−/ΔNOx−) increased by 11.90% while the energy requirement of poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and glycogen (Gly) decreased by 12.58% and 14.50%, respectively, contributing to higher TIN (84.83%) and TP (97.45%) removals. DPR batch tests using different electron acceptors (NO3− .vs. NO3− + NO2−) revealed that removing 1 mg PO43− only consumed 7.12 ± 0.25 mg PHA via NO3− + NO2− (.vs. 8.50 ± 0.12 mg PHA via NO3−) and 16% carbon source was saved although the DPR capability was suppressed as NO2− concentration exceeded 15 mg/L. Based on the achievement of nitritation, the feasibility of integrated DPR - Anammox in the AAO - MBBR system for deep-level nutrient removal was discussed.

N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones release and microbial community changes in response to operation temperature in an anammox biofilm reactor

A 1 L lab-scale anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) biofilm reactor with nitrogen loading rate of 0.11 g/L d was run for 110 days with the operation temperature declining from 36 °C to 15 °C. The total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency showed a reduction from 80% to 66%, when the temperature declined from 36 °C to 15 °C. N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones (AHLs) concentrations, especially C8-HSL and C6-HSL, declined in both water and biomass phases, and this decline indicated that the quorum sensing weakened. Microbial community analysis revealed that Candidatus Kuenenia was the predominant anammox bacteria during the entire operating period. The abundance of Candidatus Kuenenia increased from 1.43% to 22.89% when the temperature decreasing from 36 °C to 15 °C. The correlation between microbial genus and AHLs was complicated. Overall, the temperature decrease weakened the quorum sensing so that the nitrogen removal performance deteriorated, and increasing the anammox activity might be an efficient way to improve performance.

Advanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal from municipal wastewater via simultaneous enhanced biological phosphorus removal and semi-nitritation (EBPR-SN) combined with anammox.

In this study, a novel laboratory-scale synchronous enhanced biological phosphorus removal and semi-nitritation (termed as EBPR-SN) combined with anammox process was put forward for achieving nutrient elimination from municipal wastewater at 27 ℃. This process consisted of two 10 L sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), i.e. EBPR-SN SBR followed by Anammox SBR. The EBPR-SN SBR was operated for 400days with five periods and the Anammox SBR was operated starting on period IV. Eventually, for treating municipal wastewater containing low chemical oxygen demand/nitrogen (COD/N) of 3.2 (mg/mg), the EBPR-SN plus Anammox system performed advanced total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and P removal, with TIN and P removal efficiencies of 81.4% and 94.3%, respectively. Further analysis suggested that the contributions of simultaneous partial nitrification denitrification, denitrification, and anammox to TIN removal were 15.0%, 45.0%, and 40.0%, respectively. The enriched phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) in the EBPR-SN SBR facilitated P removal. Besides, the EBPR-SN SBR achieved P removal and provided stable anammox substrates, suggesting a short sludge retention time (SRT 12 d) could achieve synergy between ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and PAOs. These results provided an alternative process for treating municipal wastewater with limited organics.

Comparison of sensor driven aeration control strategies for improved understanding of simultaneous nitrification/denitrification.

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).

Characteristics and performances of microalgal-bacterial consortia in a mixture of raw piggery digestate and anoxic aerated effluent

The piggery digestate of high ammonia was mixed with the anoxic aerated effluent of high nitrate and phosphorus, to cultivate a microalgal-bacterial consortium for simultaneous pollution removal and resource recovery. The highest removal of total inorganic nitrogen was achieved at 324.77 mg/L in 40% piggery digestate mixed with 60% anoxic aerated effluent, along with the most microalgae biomass production. The crude protein and fatty acids of C14-C20 in microalgae cells were 21.80% and 69.78%, indicating that this mixing strategy could produce abundant microalgal biomass suitable for biofuel generation and animal feed. High-throughput sequencing showed that microbial diversity increased and Paenibacillus, Thiopseudomonas and Pseudomonas were the dominant species promoting microalgal growth. Overall, these results provided a new insight of mixing two types of wastewaters for cultivating microalgal-bacterial consortia, to remove contamination and recover nutrients simultaneously.

Development of Air Supply Control Technology in Sidestream MLE Process by Measuring Conductivity

Objectives : This study aimed to achieve improved process performance and energy saving by developing a technology to control the air supply of an aerobic basin by measuring the conductivity in the anoxic basin.Methods : To verify whether conductivity can be used as an operation indicator of biological treatment, the correlation analysis between water quality factor and conductivity of each process was conducted by dividing into summer (methanol input), winter and autumn periods. An empirical formula was presented by briefly arranging the required air quantity formula, and a quick reference was prepared by putting air supply in the conductivity range sequentially. The performance evaluation was judged based on the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen and total inorganic nitrogen, SNR and SDNR, the change of air supply, the stability of the process against inflow change.Results and Discussion : The seasonal correlation coefficients of conductivity and water quality items were calculated in the order of ammonia nitrogen, total inorganic nitrogen, DOC, and phosphate in the range of 0.5267 ~ 0.9115. It was found that the conductivity could be used as an operation indicator of the biological treatment process with a correlation coefficient of 0.5 or more. The regression equations for the conductivity and ammonia nitrogen are secured by season, so it is possible to estimate the ammonia nitrogen through the conductivity. At the end of the aerobic basin DO was 3.4 mg/L, the nitrogen treatment efficiency in winter was the best. The aerobic basin DO can be controlled by the air supply, and it can be seen that it is possible to control the air supply and improve the nitrogen treatment efficiency by directly measuring the conductivity having a high correlation with nitrogen. An empirical formula for estimating the required air volume through conductivity and inflow is presented. A' and (B' + X') are 0.0589 (m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;-air/h)/(m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;/h)/(μS/cm) and –77.562 (m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;-air/h)/(m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;/h). The result of automatic control of air supply according to the measured conductivity of anoxic tank during winter season showed that total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and SDNR were 8.3% and 0.007 g-N/g-MLSS/d higher than the actual plant conditions, respectively. During the automatic control period, the air supply/inflow average ratio was 36 (m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;-air/h)/(m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;/h), which could reduce the air supply by 21.7% compared to the actual plant conditions.Conclusions : The air supply can be estimated from the flow rate and conductivity. The air supply control technology of the conductivity-based MLE process will be able to simultaneously improve nitrogen removal efficiency and reduce energy consumption.