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Redox control bioreactor: a unique biological water processor.

Daniel P Smith1, Tony Rector, Kristina Reid-Black

  • 1Applied Environmental Technology, Thonotosassa, Florida, USA. dpsmith_aet@verizon.net

Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|August 21, 2007
PubMed
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This study introduces the redox control bioreactor (RCB) for converting ammonia to nitrogen gas using oxygen and hydrogen. The RCB efficiently removes ammonia and nitrates, demonstrating distinct biofilm development within the hollow fiber membranes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental biotechnology
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Microbial ecology

Background:

  • Conventional wastewater treatment struggles with efficient nitrogen removal.
  • Hollow fiber membrane bioreactors (HFMBRs) offer potential for advanced biological processes.
  • Redox control is crucial for managing simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply a novel redox control bioreactor (RCB) for autotrophic conversion of ammonia to N(2).
  • To investigate the co-occurrence of nitrification (O(2)-HF biofilms) and autohydrogenotrophic denitrification (H(2)-HF biofilms).
  • To test the hypothesis that localized gas utilization limits bulk transport, enabling efficient nitrogen conversion.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication and operation of a prototype RCB for 215 days.

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  • Utilized a synthetic, organic-free feedstream with high ammonia concentration (217 mg L(-1) NH(4)(+)-N).
  • Simultaneous supply of oxygen (O(2)) and hydrogen (H(2)) through separate hollow fiber (HF) membranes.
  • Microprobe profiling and physiological/molecular analysis of biofilms.

    • Main Results:

    • Achieved steady-state NH(4)(+)-N removal flux of 5.8 g m(-2) day(-1) and concomitant (NO(3)(-))+NO(2)(-))-N removal flux of 4.4 g m(-2) day(-1).
    • Demonstrated the critical role of H(2) supply; its discontinuation increased effluent NO(3)(-)-N, while reintroduction decreased it.
    • Observed inhibition of nitrification at higher H(2) pressures, indicating process sensitivity.
    • Microprobe data revealed significant dissolved O(2) gradients within 1 mm, supporting localized gas consumption.
    • Confirmed development of structurally and functionally distinct biofilms on adjacent HFs.

    Conclusions:

    • The RCB design enables efficient, completely autotrophic ammonia conversion to N(2) by co-locating nitrification and autohydrogenotrophic denitrification.
    • Localized gas utilization by distinct biofilms on juxtaposed HFs is key to the process's success.
    • This technology presents a promising approach for advanced nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment.