Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
A novel technology with precise oxygen-input control: Application of the partial nitritation-anammox process
Songkai Qiu1, Zebing Li2, Xiaolin Sheng3
1Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
A new Simple Process for Autotrophic Nitrogen-removal (SPAN) system precisely controls oxygen for partial nitritation-anammox (PN-A) processes. This novel technology achieves over 99% ammonium removal and high nitrogen removal efficiency in wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment Technologies
Background:
- Controlling oxygen input is crucial but difficult for efficient partial nitritation-anammox (PN-A) processes.
- Existing methods struggle with precise oxygen delivery, impacting nitrogen removal performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel and simple system (SPAN) for precise oxygen-input control in PN-A processes.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the SPAN system in treating ammonium-rich wastewater.
Main Methods:
- Developed the Simple Process for Autotrophic Nitrogen-removal (SPAN) system utilizing water circulation and showering for oxygen delivery.
- Precisely controlled oxygen-input rates by adjusting water circulation and shower rates.
- Operated two parallel SPAN reactors for long-term performance evaluation.
Main Results:
- SPAN achieved precise and reliable oxygen-input control during long-term operation.
- Demonstrated stable removal of over 99% NH4+-N and 81%-85% total nitrogen.
- Enriched anammox bacteria to high abundance (8.17%) and activity, contributing >96% of nitrogen removal.
Conclusions:
- The SPAN system offers a novel and effective technology for precise oxygen control in PN-A processes.
- SPAN enables high-efficiency and stable nitrogen removal from ammonium-rich wastewater.
- The system successfully enriches key microorganisms while controlling unwanted microbial activity.
More Related Videos
08:05Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
Published on: October 7, 2020
08:28Creating Rapid Oxygen Oscillations in Microbial Single-cell Growth Analysis using a Microfluidic Double-layer Device
Published on: July 18, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
The Nitrogen Cycle