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Sulfammox forwarding thiosulfate-driven denitrification and anammox process for nitrogen removal
Zijian Zhu1, Jiafu Qin1, Zhenguo Chen2
1School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, China.
Environmental Research
|July 21, 2022
Summary
Thiosulfate-driven denitrification coupled with Anammox (TDDA) effectively removes nitrogen from wastewater. This study demonstrates the Sulfammox process within TDDA, reducing sulfate production and enhancing nitrogen removal, offering a cost-effective solution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Thiosulfate-driven denitrification coupled with Anammox (TDDA) is a promising wastewater treatment process for ammonium and nitrate removal.
- High sulfate production in TDDA limits its practical application, necessitating cost-effective mitigation strategies.
- Optimizing the TDDA process is crucial for enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency and sustainability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of initiating and operating the TDDA process for efficient nitrogen removal.
- To explore the occurrence and contribution of the Sulfammox process within the TDDA system.
- To evaluate the impact of sulfur-nitrogen ratios on process performance and sulfate reduction.
Main Methods:
- Stepwise replacement of nitrite with nitrate to initiate the TDDA process.
- Continuous operation for 146 days under high nitrogen loading rates.
- Batch tests to identify Sulfammox process activity and high-throughput sequencing for microbial community analysis.
Main Results:
- Achieved an average total nitrogen removal efficiency of 82.18% at a loading rate of 1.98 kg N/(m³·d), with a maximum of 87.04%.
- Observed the Sulfammox process, contributing an additional 2.59% nitrogen removal and 10.46% sulfur removal by recycling sulfate.
- Identified high abundance of Anammox bacteria (Candidatus_Kuenenia) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus), alongside specific phyla and genera supporting the Sulfammox process.
Conclusions:
- The TDDA process, enhanced by the Sulfammox process, offers a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment with reduced sulfate production.
- This integrated approach improves nitrogen removal efficiency and operational cost-effectiveness.
- The study provides a new perspective for the practical application of TDDA by promoting a sulfur-nitrogen cycle.
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