Profile of organic carbon and nitrogen removal by a continuous flowing conventional activated sludge reactor with pulse aeration

2018 ◽  
Vol 117 ◽  
pp. 439-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bao-Cang Han ◽  
Wei-Li Jiang ◽  
Yong Zhang ◽  
Wei Wei ◽  
Jiao Chen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Activated Sludge Reactor

Nitrification-denitrification of UASB effluents highly loaded with nitrogen in an activated sludge reactor operated with short cycled aeration

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Villaverde ◽  
M. L. Lacalle ◽  
P. A. García-Encina ◽  
F. Fdz-Polanco
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Potato Starch ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Activated Sludge Reactor ◽  
Total Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Continuous Flow Reactors ◽  
Activated Sludge Processes

A conventional activated sludge reactor operated with short cycled aeration was used for total nitrogen removal of UASB anaerobic reactor effluent containing nitrogen (up to 1,200 mg NKT/L) and organic matter (up to 2,000 mg COD/L). Initially the reactor was fed with synthetic water to progressively introduce the UASB effluent. This favored the acclimation of the microorganisms to the real environment. The results obtained throughout this study showed that initially the tested technology is feasible and can report significant cuts on operation and maintenance when compared to conventional activated sludge processes. Total nitrogen removal up to 66% was attained treating the effluent of an UASB process designed for treating the wastewater of a potato starch factory. Total nitrogen removal capacities ranging between 0.1 and 0.58 kg of nitrogen per cubic metre per day are reported. Short-cycled aeration allowed for a more efficient use of the oxygen supply for nitrification and the organic carbon content present in the wastewater for denitrification. This operating protocol has demonstrated serious advantages in terms of operation costs and simplicity when total nitrogen removal is wanted. Most of the existing activated sludge processes, i.e. single continuous flow reactors, can be updated for total nitrogen removal essentially at no cost, the inversion (aeration control system) is rapidly returned as reduction in energy expenditure.

Modeling dynamics of organic carbon and nitrogen removal during aeration interruption in aerated horizontal flow treatment wetlands

2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Boog ◽  
Thomas Kalbacher ◽  
Jaime Nivala ◽  
Manfred van Afferden ◽  
Roland A. Müller
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Treatment Wetlands ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Simulation Accuracy ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen

Abstract Despite recent developments in process-based modeling of treatment wetlands (TW), the dynamic response of horizontal flow (HF) aerated wetlands to interruptions of aeration has not yet been modeled. In this study, the dynamic response of organic carbon and nitrogen removal to interruptions of aeration in an HF aerated wetland was investigated using a recently-developed numerical process-based model. Model calibration and validation were achieved using previously obtained data from pilot-scale experiments. Setting initial concentrations for anaerobic bacteria to high values ( 35–70 mg L−1) and including ammonia sorption was important to simulate the treatment performance of the experimental wetland in transition phases when aeration was switched off and on again. Even though steady-state air flow rate impacted steady-state soluble chemical oxygen demand (CODs), ammonia nitrogen (NH4–N) and oxidized nitrogen (NOx–N) concentration length profiles, it did not substantially affect corresponding effluent concentrations during aeration interruption. When comparing simulated with experimental results, it is most likely that extending the model to include mass transfer through the biofilm will allow to better explain the underlying experiments and to increase simulation accuracy. This study provides insights into the dynamic behavior of HF aerated wetlands and discusses assumptions and limitations of the modeling approach.

Enhancing Nitrogen Removal in Activated Sludge with Fixed Biomass

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bonhomme ◽  
F. Rogalla ◽  
G. Boisseau ◽  
J. Sibony
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Hydraulic Behaviour ◽  
Complete Section ◽  
Fixed Beds ◽  
Carbon Load ◽  
Nitrogen Elimination

To upgrade existing activated sludge treatment plants, different techniques that would remove an important flux of nitrogen rapidly on a great number of units were investigated. Nitrification with conventional activated sludge systems requires considerable multiplication of tankage volume. The necessary investment and space is not always available, especially since many older plants are now in urbanized areas. To lower the nitrogen load in receiving water, the first priority should be to obtain partial nitrogen removal with existing plants, using methods that are simple to adapt.Three techniques were tested on large scale: submerged elements in aeration basin to add fixed biomass, contact stabilisation that allows a higher sludge age in the same tankage volume, and adding submerged biotower packings as a tertiary aeration stage. In a full scale unit (4000 m3/d), one complete section of the plant fitted with biofilter packing was operated in parallel with a similar unmodified section as reference. The volume occupied by the fixed beds was varied between 20 and 40 % of the tank. The submerged elements improved removal efficiency, to maintain effluent quality at higher loadings or obtain lower residual pollution values in existing plants. The biofilm evolution and the hydraulic behaviour of the packing was followed. No significant change in sludge settleability was observed, but fixed biomass addition reduced sludge production because of a lower overall mass loading. The resulting higher sludge age allowed the ammonia oxidizers to remain in the mixed population beyond usual F/M limits, but no installation of nitrifiers on the support media could be observed. To verify the limits of immersed plastic surfaces for nitrification, an aerated column was fed with effluent of a highly loaded activated sludge plant. In opposition to carriers submerged in mixed liquor, nitrifier attachment was obtained, and COD and SS removal for effluent polishing was achieved. With a carbon loading exceeding 1,5 kg COD/m3 d, a maximum oxidation rate of 0,4 kg N-NH4/m3 d could be obtained. A pilot unit was tested to assess the potential volume reduction for nitrogen elimination by contact stabilisation. This configuration stores the highly concentrated return sludge in a reaeration basin, and keeping only the minimum detention time in the contact basin to obtain nitrification. Also, an increased carbon load in the contact basin enhances denitrification. For urban wastewaters with a COD/N ratio of about 10, complete oxidation and partial removal of nitrogen were obtained with a volume loading of 1,5 kg COD/m3 d. Nitrogen removal rates of 0,15 kg N/m3 d were measured both in the anoxic and the aerobic part of the contact basin. The contact stabilisation mode was then tested on full scale combined with submerged biomass carriers. A consistant nitrogen elimination of 50 % was obtained with aeration detention times of about 4 hours.

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