Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
Simultaneous nitrogen and phosphor removal in an aerobic submerged membrane bioreactor
Zhi-Wei Wang1, Zhi-Chao Wu, Guo-Wei Gu
1State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China. zhiweiwang@citiz.net
Abstract:
Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) effect and phosphor removal were investigated in a one-staged aerobic submerged membrane bioreactor on pilot-scale with mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) 19-20 g/L. The effects of DO concentration, sludge floc size distribution on SND were studied. Test results suggested that SND was successfully performed in the membrane bioreactor (MBR) and about 70% total nitrogen removal efficiency was achieved when DO concentration was set to 0.2-0.3 mg/L. The main mechanisms governing SND were the suitable sludge floc size and the low DO concentration which was caused by low oxygen transfer rate with such a high MLSS concentration in the MBR. In the meantime, phosphor removal was also studied with polymer ferric sulfate (PFS) addition and 14 mg/L dosage of PFS was proper for the MBR to remove phosphor. PFS addition also benefited the MBR operation owing to its reduction of extracellular polymer substances (EPS) of mixed liquor.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Bioreactor Design and Operational System
Microbes and the Nitrogen Cycle
Bioreactor Controls-II
Bioremediation

