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Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
Performance of high-loaded ANAMMOX UASB reactors containing granular sludge
Chong-Jian Tang1, Ping Zheng, Cai-Hua Wang
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China. chjtangzju@yahoo.com.cn
Water Research
|August 31, 2010
Summary
High-loaded anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors achieved unprecedented nitrogen removal rates. This super high-rate performance was attributed to high biomass concentration and specific ANAMMOX activity within the reactors.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation (ANAMMOX) is a crucial process for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment.
- Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactors are widely used for ANAMMOX processes.
- Optimizing reactor performance under high loading conditions remains a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the performance of high-loaded ANAMMOX UASB reactors.
- To evaluate the impact of effluent recycling on reactor performance.
- To identify key factors contributing to enhanced nitrogen removal rates.
Main Methods:
- Operation of two lab-scale ANAMMOX UASB reactors (R1 with effluent recycling, R2 without).
- Progressive increase of nitrogen loading rate (NLR) by reducing hydraulic retention time (HRT).
- Analysis of biomass concentration, specific ANAMMOX activity (SAA), granule characteristics, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).
Main Results:
- Achieved super high-rate nitrogen removal rates (NRR) of 74.3-76.7 kg-N m(-3) day(-1), approximately three times higher than previously reported values.
- Observed high biomass concentrations (42.0-57.7 g-VSS L(-1)) and specific ANAMMOX activity (SAA) up to 5.6 kg-N kg-VSS(-1) day(-1).
- Characterized ANAMMOX granules with high settling velocities (73-88 m h(-1)) and significant amounts of extracellular polymers (polysaccharides and proteins) and hemachrome.
Conclusions:
- High biomass concentration and specific ANAMMOX activity are critical for achieving super high-rate performance in ANAMMOX UASB reactors.
- The presence of substantial extracellular polymers and hemachrome in ANAMMOX granules may contribute to their stability and high activity.
- These findings offer a pathway for designing more efficient and compact nitrogen removal systems.
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