Assessment of rotating biological contactors coupled to modern nitrogen removal bioprocesses when applied to landfill leachate treatment

• Grant number: 17/10661-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Theo Syrto Octavio de Souza
• Grantee: Larissa Garcez Bicelli
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Landfill leachate tends to increase in Brazil with the progressive attendance to one of the goals of the National Policy on Solid Waste. Considering the severe environmental impacts they cause, an investigation of technologies for their treatment is extremely important, mainly for removing their high concentrations of ammonium nitrogen. Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC) are an interesting alternative for nitrogen removal from leachate when compared to conventional systems, since this technology is based on biofilm formation, which is subject to microaeration, allowing the development of bioprocesses based on anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation) or on simultaneous nitrification-denitrification. The aim of this research project is to evaluate the performance of the RBC technology on the removal of nitrogen from landfill leachate, using such bioprocesses. In the first stage, synthetic effluent will be used as substrate and the influence of ammonium concentration and of disc rotation on partial nitrification will be evaluated. The assessment of nitrification performance with the addition of raw leachate with low BOD/COD ratio will be performed during the second stage of the study. In both stages, the concomitant occurrence of the anammox process, which may develop in the internal biofilm zone, will be monitored. In the third stage, organic matter will be added to the influent to investigate the occurrence of simultaneous nitrification-denitrification when using leachate with a higher BOD/COD ratio. Therefore, this research aims to contribute with the technological development of RBCs for nitrogen removal from landfill leachate, elucidating operational aspects and determining design parameters for the efficient application of such systems. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BICELLI, LARISSA GARCEZ; AUGUSTO, MATHEUS RIBEIRO; GIORDANI, ALESSANDRA; CONTRERA, RONAN CLEBER; SOUZA, THEO S. O.. Intermittent rotation as an innovative strategy for achieving nitritation in rotating biological contactors. Science of The Total Environment, v. 736, SEP 20 2020. (17/10661-5)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

BICELLI, Larissa Garcez. Evaluation of rotating biological contactors in the application of novel nitrogen removal bioprocesses for landfill leachate treatment.. 2020. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP/BC) São Paulo.