Modification of a full-scale sequencing batch reactor operational mode for biological nutrient removal

Water Environ Res. 2008 Mar;80(3):257-66. doi: 10.2175/106143007x221337.

Abstract

Two biological nutrient removal modes, consisting of anaerobic, anoxic, and oxic sequences, were tested in a full-scale sequencing batch reactor. The modes, identified as BNR-S1 and BNR-S2, had average total nitrogen removals of 84 and 89%, respectively, for the months of August to October. Over the same period, total phosphorus removals for BNR-S1 and BNR-S2 were 88 and 87%, respectively. In contrast, total nitrogen and total phosphorus removals for the regular aerobic mode were 54.7 and 44.7%, respectively. When the wastewater temperature changed from approximately 20 to 15 degrees C in the winter months, total nitrogen and total phosphorus removals for BNR-S2 were reduced to 81 and 70%, respectively. Total nitrogen effluent concentrations were between 2.5 and 4 mg-N/L (at approximately 20 degrees C), while the effluent total phosphorus concentrations were between 1 and 2 mg/L. The BNR-S2 mode was found to require less energy per kilogram of soluble chemical oxygen demand removed than the regular and BNR-S1 modes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aerobiosis
  • Anaerobiosis
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Bioreactors
  • Humans
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Phosphorus / metabolism*
  • Seasons
  • Temperature
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen