Performance, Kinetics and Correlation Study of a Plug Flow Multimedia Reactor Treating Conventional UASB Effluent

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment
• Bioremediation

Background:

• Anaerobically treated effluents often contain residual nutrients requiring further removal.
• Conventional sewage treatment may not sufficiently remove ammonium (NH4-N) and phosphate (PO4-P).
• Plug flow multimedia reactors (PFMMR) offer a potential solution for advanced nutrient removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a PFMMR in removing NH4-N and PO4-P from Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor effluent.
• To investigate the performance of plastic carriers and activated carbon as media in the PFMMR for denitrification.
• To assess the kinetic coefficients for nutrient removal using Stover-Kincannon, Grau, and Monod models.

Main Methods:

• A 105-day study utilizing a PFMMR with plastic carrier and activated carbon media.
• Treatment of UASB effluent from sewage treatment.
• Kinetic modeling (Stover-Kincannon, Grau, Monod) and characterization of biomass using FTIR, DLS, and SEM.

Main Results:

• The PFMMR achieved high removal efficiencies: 91.2% for NH4-N and 31.0% for PO4-P.
• The Monod model proved most suitable for assessing nutrient concentrations and kinetic coefficients.
• Consistent treatment behavior was observed, indicated by strong positive correlations between key parameters (e.g., COD, NH4-N).

Conclusions:

• The PFMMR system is highly effective for removing COD, NH4-N, and PO4-P from wastewater.
• The Monod model accurately describes nutrient removal kinetics in the PFMMR.
• Biomass characterization confirmed successful cultivation on the multimedia, supporting efficient nutrient removal.