[Autotrophic ammonium-removal of sludge liquor]

The autotrophic ammonium-removal process was realized in floating bed reactors with sludge liquor as substrate. Biofilm of autotrophic bacteria were formed on the surface of carriers in reactors. The main operation conditions of the reactors were as the following: T = 28 degrees C, pH = 8.0 and DO = 0.8-1.0 mg/L. The average surface load of two reactors in series was NH4(+)-N 3-4 g/(m2.d), and the general autotrophic ammonium-removal efficiency was about 70%. The Autotrophic ammonium-removal technology promises considerable savings in regard to the oxygen consumption and external organic carbon addition compared with the conventional nitrification-denitrification technology when it was used to treat ammonium-rich and unfavourable C/N ratio wastewater.