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Related Experiment Videos

Dinitrogen oxide detection for process failure early warning systems.

J E Burgess1, R M Stuetz, S Morton

  • 1School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University, Bedford, UK.

Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
|April 9, 2002
PubMed
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Monitoring nitrous oxide (N2O) in off-gas can indicate issues in the nitrification process of activated sludge plants. Measuring N2O levels can provide early warnings of ammonia spikes and dissolved oxygen depletion.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water Treatment Technologies
  • Microbial Ecology

Background:

  • Nitrification is a critical step in wastewater treatment, converting ammonia to nitrate.
  • Effective monitoring of nitrification is essential for maintaining effluent quality and preventing environmental pollution.
  • Current monitoring methods may not always provide early detection of process disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate nitrous oxide (N2O) concentration in off-gas as a potential indicator for monitoring the activated sludge nitrification process.
  • To assess N2O as an early warning signal for ammonia breakthrough in plant effluent.
  • To correlate N2O levels with specific process disturbances like ammonia shock loads and nitrification inhibition.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Experimental setup using an activated sludge pilot plant.
  • Controlled introduction of ammonia shock loads.
  • Application of a nitrification inhibitor (allylthiourea).
  • Measurement of N2O concentration in the off-gas from the aeration tank.
  • Monitoring of dissolved oxygen and nitrite levels within the aeration tank.

    • Main Results:

    • A strong correlation was observed between ammonia shock loads and increased N2O concentration in the off-gas.
    • Dissolved oxygen depletion during ammonia shock loads was also correlated with elevated N2O levels.
    • The addition of allylthiourea led to a similar pattern, correlating nitrite buildup with increased N2O off-gas concentrations.
    • These findings suggest N2O is a sensitive indicator of nitrification process status.

    Conclusions:

    • Nitrous oxide (N2O) concentration in the exhaust gas of nitrifying activated sludge processes is a promising parameter for real-time monitoring.
    • N2O monitoring can serve as an early warning system for process upsets, including ammonia loading and nitrification inhibition.
    • This approach offers a potential non-invasive method to enhance the operational control and stability of wastewater nitrification systems.