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Biofilm Removal Using Carbon Dioxide Aerosols without Nitrogen Purge
Published on: November 6, 2016
Carbon-nitrogen removal in a structured-bed reactor (SBRRIA) treating sewage: Operating conditions and metabolic
Rafael B Moura1, Carla E D Santos2, Dagoberto Y Okada3
1Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of Alfenas, Rod. José Aurélio Vilela, 11999, Cidade Universitária, 37715-400, Poços de Caldas, MG, Brazil; Biological Processes Laboratory, Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Environmental Engineering, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo (EESC/USP), Av. João Dagnone 1100, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
The present study evaluated the efficiency of a structured-bed reactor subjected to recirculation and intermittent aeration (SBRRIA) to promote nitrogen and carbon removal from domestic sewage. The intermittent aeration and the recycling rate of 3 keeps the desired mixing degree inside the SBRRIA. Four different operational conditions were tested by varying the hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 12 to 8 h and aerated and non-aerated periods (A/NA) from 2 h/1 h and 3 h/1 h. At the THD of 8 h and A/NA of 2 h/1 h there was a decrease in the nitrification process (77.5%) due to the increase of organic matter availability, affecting the total-N removal performance. However, by increasing the aerated period from 2 h to 3 h, the nitrification efficiency rose to 91.1%, reaching a total-N removal efficiency of 79%. The system reached a maximum total-N loading removed of 0.117 kgN.m-3.d-1 by applying an HRT of 8 h and an intermittent aeration cycle of 3 h, aerated and 1 h non-aerated. The simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) process was related to a complex interplay among microorganisms affiliated mostly to Acidovorax sp., Comamonas sp., Dechloromonas sp., Hydrogenophaga sp., Mycobacterium sp., Rhodobacter sp., and Steroidobacter sp.
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