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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
09:50
Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
SBR technology for high ammonium loading rates
A Galí1, J Dosta, S López-Palau
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès, no. 1, 6th floor, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
Summary
This study investigated high ammonium wastewater treatment using Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs). SBRs effectively removed nitrogen from reject water via nitrification/denitrification, achieving high conversion rates, but struggled with landfill leachate due to temperature limitations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment Engineering
- Microbiology
Background:
- High ammonium concentrations in wastewater pose environmental challenges.
- Wastewater reclamation is crucial for sustainable water management.
- Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) are versatile for treating complex wastewater.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of SBRs in treating high ammonium wastewater.
- To compare nitrogen removal performance across different wastewater types.
- To investigate the impact of temperature on SBR treatment efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Four SBR reactors were operated for six months.
- Treated wastewaters included landfill leachates, and reject water from sewage sludge, pig slurry, and OFMSW.
- Nitrogen removal was achieved through nitrification/denitrification via nitrite pathway.
Main Results:
- High nitrogen removal efficiencies were observed for reject water (0.75-0.85 kg N day(-1) m(-3)).
- Landfill leachates showed lower nitrogen removal (0.3 kg N day(-1) m(-3)) due to temperature sensitivity.
- Nitrification/denitrification via nitrite was effective across tested wastewater types.
Conclusions:
- SBRs are effective for nitrogen removal from high ammonium reject water.
- Temperature significantly impacts SBR performance for landfill leachate treatment.
- Optimized SBR operation can enhance wastewater treatment sustainability.
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