Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
Study of a combined sulfur autotrophic with proton-exchange membrane electrodialytic denitrification technology:
Dongjin Wan1, Huijuan Liu, Ruiping Liu
1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
Abstract:
A novel combined system established for nitrate removal from aqueous solution consisted of two parts: sulfur autotrophic denitrification and bio-electrochemical denitrification based on proton-exchange membrane electrodialysis (PEMED). The system was operated at various hydraulic retention times (HRT) and current intensities. Its optimum operation condition was also determined. The combined process had pH adjustment thus generating less nitrite than PEMED process. The denitrification rate of sulfur autotrophic part was dependent on HRT, while shorter HRT could reduce the sulfate generated by the sulfur autotrophic process. The denitrification rate of PEMED process depended on the applied current. For 32±1 mg-N/L nitrate in influent, the optimum operation parameters of combined process were: HRT 2h; applied current 350 mA. The combined reactor could achieve 95.8% nitrate removal without nitrite accumulation, the pH of effluent kept neutral and the sulfate of effluent was 202.1 mg/L, lower than the drinking water standard in China.
Related Concept Videos
Sulfur Assimilation
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Microbial Fuel Cells
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis

