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The sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process concept was applied to achieve efficient ammonium removal via nitrite under both laboratory and pilot-scale conditions. Both sets of experimental results show that without pH control or carbon addition the nitritation process consistently converted approximately 50% of the ammonium from biosolids dewatering liquids to nitrite with hydraulic retention times (HRT) as short as 10 h. The results from the pilot-scale study also indicate that the selective oxidation of ammonium to nitrite is a reliable process as the accumulation of nitrate was never an issue during a 330-day trial. The SBR process concept was extended to achieve complete nitrogen removal through nitritation and denitritation in the laboratory scale. The experimental results indicate that a total reduction of 96-98% of the ammonium nitrogen from biosolids dewatering liquids (influent concentration typically 1,200 g m(-3)) was achieved with a short HRT of 1.1 d and a removal rate of 1.05 kgNm(-3)d(-1). This process concept was tested at pilot scale where the nitritation process could be started up without temperature control in a short period of time. Nitrogen removal rates up to 1.2 kgNm(-3)d(-1) at an HRT of 0.88 d have been obtained. COD to nitrogen ratios required in the pilot plant were consistently in the range 1.6-1.9 kgCOD kg(-1)N removed.

The nitrogen removal capacity of a suspended culture system treating mature landfill leachate was investigated. Leachate containing high ammonium levels of 300-900 mg N/L was nitrified in a bench scale sequencing batch reactor. Leachate from four different landfills was treated over a two year period for the removal of nitrogen. In this time, a highly specific nitrifying culture was attained that delivered exceptionally high rates of ammonia removal. No sludge was wasted from the system to increase the throughput and up to 13 g/L of MLSS was obtained. Settleability of the purely nitrifying biomass was excellent with SVI less than 40 mL/g, even at the high sludge concentrations. Nitrification rates up to 246 mg N/(L h) (5.91 g N/(L d)) and specific nitrification rates of 36 mg N/(gVSS h) (880 mg N/(gVSS d)) were obtained. The loading to the system at this time allowed complete nitrification of the leachate with a hydraulic retention time of only 5 hours. Following these successful treatability studies, a full-scale plant was designed and built at one of the landfills investigated.

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The Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme consists of three advanced water treatment plants (AWTPs), with the combined capacity to recycle 232 ML/d. Each AWTP process consists of pre-treatment, microfiltration (MF), reverse osmosis (RO), UV/peroxide advanced oxidation and chlorination. A key objective of the project is to improve the environmental health of regional waterways, particularly in relation to nutrient discharges. Reverse osmosis processes produce a concentrate stream (ROC), which is the main reject stream of the AWTPs. Options for management of ROC were assessed, and ultimate disposal to nearby waterways was the only feasible option identified. ROC flows for the scheme total 41 ML/d at full capacity, divided between the three AWTPs. The contaminants in this stream are generally 6 to 7 times more concentrated than in the feed water. Environmental risks were identified due to potential increased toxicity associated with these higher concentrations, which were exacerbated due to chlorine and ammonia dosed in the AWTP process. Target ROC contaminants have been identified as nitrogen, phosphorus, ammonia, metals and chlorine. The paper presents the selected toxicity management and nutrient reduction strategies for each AWTP, and the results of full-scale operation to date are also summarised.