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Updated: May 28, 2026
09:50
Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
Biological phosphorus removal with nitrite as election acceptor
Xiaoling Zhang1, Zhiying Wang, Qing Zhao
1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China. zhangxiaoling101@126.com
Summary
Biological phosphorus removal is effective using nitrite as an electron acceptor in sequencing batch reactors. Continuous feeding of nitrite optimized anoxic phosphorus assimilation, achieving over 97% removal and forming active granular sludge.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Wastewater Treatment
- Microbial Ecology
Background:
- Biological phosphorus removal is crucial for preventing eutrophication.
- Denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR) offers a sustainable alternative to conventional methods.
- Understanding factors influencing DPR efficiency is essential for process optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of nitrite as an electron acceptor for biological phosphorus removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR).
- To evaluate the impact of nitrite feeding strategies on denitrifying phosphorus removal performance.
- To explore the formation and characteristics of granular sludge capable of DPR.
Main Methods:
- Operation of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for biological phosphorus removal.
- Utilizing nitrite as the electron acceptor in the denitrification process.
- Investigating different continuous and intermittent nitrite feeding modes.
- Analysis of operational parameters including COD loading, settling time, and hydraulic retention time (HRT).
Main Results:
- Nitrite was confirmed as a viable electron acceptor for denitrifying phosphorus removal.
- Continuous feeding of nitrite significantly enhanced DPR, with an anoxic phosphorus assimilation rate of 10.44 mgP/gSS.h.
- Over 97% of phosphorus assimilation occurred under anoxic conditions with continuous feeding.
- Granular sludge exhibiting denitrifying phosphorus removal activity was successfully developed in the SBR.
Conclusions:
- Nitrite can effectively support biological phosphorus removal in SBRs.
- Continuous nitrite feeding is a superior strategy for maximizing anoxic phosphorus assimilation.
- The study demonstrates the feasibility of developing granular sludge for enhanced DPR processes.
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