Achieving nitrogen removal via nitrite in a pilot-scale continuous pre-denitrification plant

Ma, Yong, Peng, Yongzhen, Wang, Shuying, Yuan, Zhiguo and Wang, Xiaolian (2009) Achieving nitrogen removal via nitrite in a pilot-scale continuous pre-denitrification plant. Water Research, 43 3: 563-572.


Author Ma, Yong
Peng, Yongzhen
Wang, Shuying
Yuan, Zhiguo
Wang, Xiaolian
Title Achieving nitrogen removal via nitrite in a pilot-scale continuous pre-denitrification plant
Journal name Water Research  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2009-02
Sub-type Article
Year available 2008
DOI 10.1016/j.watres.2008.08.025
Volume number 43
Issue number 3
ISSN 0043-1354; 1879-2448
Start page 563
End page 572
Total pages 10
Editor Berinda J. Ross
Place of publication London, United Kingdom
Publisher I W A Publishing
Collection year 2009
Language eng
Subject C1
090409 Wastewater Treatment Processes
960912 Urban and Industrial Water Management
Abstract Nitrogen removal via nitrite (the nitrite pathway) is beneficial for carbon-limited biological wastewater treatment plants. However, partial nitrification to nitrite has proven difficult in continuous processes treating domestic wastewater. The nitrite pathway is achieved in this study in a pilot-scale continuous pre-denitrification plant (V = 300 L) treating domestic wastewater by controlling the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration at 0.4–0.7 mg/L. It is demonstrated that the nitrite pathway could be repeatedly and reliably achieved, with over 95% of the oxidized nitrogen compounds at the end of the aerobic zone being nitrite. The nitrite pathway improved the total nitrogen (TN) removal by about 20% in comparison to the nitrate pathway, and also reduced aeration costs by 24%. FISH analysis showed that the nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) population gradually reduced at low DO levels, and reached negligible levels when stable nitrite pathway was established. It is hypothesized that NOB was washed out due to its relatively lower affinity with oxygen. A lag phase was observed in the establishment of the nitrite pathway. Several sludge ages were required for the onset of the nitrite pathway after the application of low DO levels. However, nitrite accumulation increased rapidly after that. A similar lag phase was observed for the upset of the nitrite pathway when a DO concentration of 2–3 mg/L was applied. The nitrite pathway negatively impacted on the sludge settleability. A strong correlation between the sludge volume index and the degree of nitrite accumulation was observed.
Keyword Pre-denitrification
A/O process
Nitritation
DO control
Sludge population optimization
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: 2009 Higher Education Research Data Collection
Advanced Water Management Centre Publications
 
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Created: Tue, 23 Jun 2009, 11:15:43 EST by Sarah Borsellino on behalf of Advanced Water Management Centre