Influence of COD/N ratio and carbon source on nitrogen removal in a structured-bed reactor subjected to recirculation and intermittent aeration (SBRRIA)

Author(s)

Santos, Carla E. D. ^[1] ; Moura, Rafael B. ^[2] ; Damianovic, Marcia H. R. Z. ^[1] ; Foresti, Eugenio ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Biol Proc, Ctr Res Dev & Innovat Environm Engn, Sch Engn Sao Carlos, BR-13563120 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Alfenas, Inst Sci & Technol, BR-37715400 Pocos De Caldas, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Environmental Management; v. 166, p. 519-524, JAN 15 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 20

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of COD/N ratio and carbon source on simultaneous nitrogen and carbon removal processes. A continuous up-flow structured-bed reactor subjected to recirculation and intermittent aeration (SBRRIA) was operated with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 11.2 +/- 0.6 h. The carbon sources were meat peptone and sucrose. The COD/N ratio varied by maintaining the organic loading rate fixed at 1.07 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) and changing the total-N concentration. The COD/N ratios tested were 9.7 +/- 1 (sucrose); 7.6 +/- 1 (meat peptone); 2.9 +/- 1 (meat peptone) and 2.9 +/- 0.4 (sucrose). COD removal efficiencies remained above 90% in all experimental phases. At lower COD/N ratios, NH4+-N oxidation efficiencies were higher than 90%. An autotrophic metabolism by anammox process was observed in Phases III and IV, which was responsible for 35% and 27% of total-N loading removal rates, respectively. Therefore, the system achieved total nitrogen removal efficiencies of 84.6 +/- 10.1 and 81.5 +/- 5.3%, under low availability of organic electron donors. (c) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/15984-0 - Bioenergy production from wastewaters and environmental fitting of liquid and solid wastes generated
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants