Novel aerobic granular sludge culture strategy: Using granular sludge Anammox process effluent as a biocatalyst

The effluent from granular sludge Anammox process was used as a biocatalyst to improve the culture rate of aerobic granular sludge, and the internal causes of this effect were studied. In this study, in sequencing batch reactor, the formation and changes of AGS was monitored with granular sludge Anammox process effluent added before and after. The community structure of AGS was analyzed by molecular biology methods. The results showed ammonia utilizing rate increased from 3.41 to 5.96 mgNH₄⁺-N/(g VSS·h), NO₂^--N maintained a high accumulation rate, and the denitrification performance remained stable. On 40th day, the diameter of the AGS reached 3.5 mm, and the concentrations of PN and PS reached 330.5 and 62.9 mg/gVSS, respectively. The community structure has changed. Nitrosomonas (31.7%) became the new dominant bacteria. Signal molecules contained in the effluent as inter-species signal molecules could enhance the formation of AGS.