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Published on: February 23, 2017
Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a CEM (cation exchange membrane)-bounded two chamber system
Wooshin Park1, Youn-Ku Nam, Myun-Joo Lee
1Radiation Research Division for Industry & Environment, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 1266 Sinjeongdong, Jeongeup, Jeonbuk 580-185, Republic of Korea.
Water Research
|July 1, 2009
Summary
This study presents a novel two-chamber system for simultaneous ammonia oxidation and denitrification. The process efficiently removes ammonia and chemical oxygen demand from wastewater using a cation exchange membrane.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Treatment
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Ammonia and nitrate pollution pose significant environmental challenges in water bodies.
- Conventional wastewater treatment often requires multiple stages for ammonia and nitrogen removal.
- Developing integrated systems for simultaneous nitrogen removal is crucial for efficient water management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel two-chamber system for simultaneous ammonia oxidation and denitrification.
- To investigate the mass flux of ammonia and the movement of nitrate and nitrite across a cation exchange membrane.
- To assess the efficiency of the integrated system in removing ammonia and soluble chemical oxygen demand from wastewater.
Main Methods:
- A two-chamber system was designed with an anoxic and an aerobic chamber separated by a cation exchange membrane.
- Batch tests were conducted to determine the maximum mass flux of ammonium (NH(4)(+)) across the membrane.
- Continuous operation involved feeding wastewater containing glucose and NH(4)(+) to assess removal efficiencies.
Main Results:
- A maximum mass flux of 0.83 mg NH(4)(+)-N/m(2)s was achieved in batch tests with an initial NH(4)(+) concentration of 700 mg N/L.
- Nitrate (NO(3)(-)) and nitrite (NO(2)(-)) were observed to move in the reverse direction across the membrane during NH(4)(+) transport.
- Continuous operation demonstrated simultaneous removal of soluble chemical oxygen demand (99% efficiency) and NH(4)(+) (71-86% efficiency).
Conclusions:
- The developed two-chamber system effectively integrates ammonia oxidation and denitrification in a single unit.
- The cation exchange membrane facilitates efficient transport of ammonium and influences the movement of other nitrogen species.
- This novel process offers a promising approach for simultaneous removal of ammonia and organic pollutants in wastewater treatment.
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