Partial Nitritation/Anammox and biological phosphorus removal integration in a single bioreactor under mainstream conditions

Zhen Jia, Quan Yuan, Paul Roots, Fabrizio Sabba, Alex F. Rosenthal, Joseph A. Kozak, George F. Wells*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Anammox-based nitrogen removal and enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) are increasingly applied for nutrient removal from wastewater, but are typically operated in separate reactors. Here, a novel process for integrated partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) and EBPR in a single reactor employing integrated fixed film activated sludge was tested. The reactor was fed with mainstream municipal wastewater (5.4 ± 1.3 g COD/g N) at 20 °C for 243 days. Robust ammonium, total inorganic nitrogen, and orthophosphate removal efficiencies of 94 ± 4 %, 87 ± 7 % and 92 ± 7 % were achieved. Nitrite-oxidizing organisms suppression and ammonia-oxidizing organisms retention were achieved via solids retention time control, intermittent aeration, and suspended versus attached biomass population segregation. The contribution of anammox to nitrogen removal increased from 24 % to 74 %. In parallel, a substantial enrichment of Tetrasphaera polyphosphate accumulating organisms was observed. This work demonstrates a novel intensified bioprocess coupling PN/A and EBPR in the same reactor for efficient nutrient removal from wastewater.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number128714
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume373
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2023

Funding

This work was partially funded by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the Water Research Foundation under Project NTRY13R16, and was developed in part under Assistance Agreement No. 84008601 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to The Water Research Foundation. It has not been formally reviewed by EPA. The views expressed in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Agency. EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.

Keywords

  • Enhanced biological phosphorus removal
  • Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS)
  • Mainstream partial nitration/anammox
  • NOO activity suppression
  • Tetrasphaera

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Waste Management and Disposal

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Partial Nitritation/Anammox and biological phosphorus removal integration in a single bioreactor under mainstream conditions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this