A full-scale test of a biological nutrients removal system using the sequencing batch reactor activated sludge process

Abstract

A full-scale pilot plant using SBR process was experimented with an actual wastewater emanating from a recreational center. The main purpose of this investigation was to evaluate applicability in the field and process removal efficiencies in terms of BOD, SS, TN and TP and its corresponding kinetic parameters. It was found that removal efficiencies were comparable with results of other studies reported in the literature. BOD removal was observed to be 95% on average while SS removal to be 89% on average. Removal rate of nitrogen was 70% in terms of total nitrogen and that of phosphorus was 77% in terms of total phosphorus. Effluent concentrations were 7.3 mg/??? BOD, 10.4mg/??? SS, 13.6mg/??? TN and 0.9mg/??? TP. Effluent quality was maintained consistently stable by controlling decantation quantity and operating cycles. Denitrification/nitrification were accomplished during anaerobic/aerobic processes and the conversion rates were 4.5mg/kgMLSS/hr and 1.5mg/kgMLSS/hr, respectively. The sludge yield coefficient was 0.32 whereas sludge phosphorus luxury uptake was as high as 5.6wt% at the end of aerobic cycle. Microscopic examination revealed that microcytes that were observed predominantly in sludge were Vorticella, Epistilis, Aspidisca (protozoa) and Philodina (rotatoria). This experiment may prove that SBR process is one of the most promising technologies that can be employed to treat organic matter as well as nutrients in wastewaters that are generated from such sources as recreational facilities because of fluctuations of wastewaters in terms of quality and quantity.

Sequence optimization in a sequencing batch reactor for biological nutrient removal from domestic wastewater

“…The HRT of CYCLE 2 was 7 h and 45 min. Better removal efficiencies for all parameters were obtained in CYCLE 2 with shorter total aerobic sequences than in previous studies in the literature (except first cycle of [22]), which is shown in Table 5. That study did not include denitrification but did have an anoxic sequence.…”

Sequencing batch reactor technology for biological wastewater treatment: a review

“…More than 98% removal of N and P has been achieved from piggery wastewater by optimizing cycle time and process modeling intended for better understanding of reactor behavior 29. Significant P removal can also be attained by using PAOs capable of denitrification in a single‐sludge system coexisting with nitrifers 30…”

Sequencing Batch Reactor for Wastewater Treatment: Recent Advances

“…The conventional anaerobic-aerobic processes incorporating an anoxic zone for denitrification have been used for N and P removal in full-scale wastewater treatment plants [41]. Significant P removal can also be attained by using DPAOs in a single sludge system coexisting with nitrifiers [42]. Studies were carried out using an anaerobic-aerobic-anoxic-aerobic system for simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorus, and some important control strategies were suggested so that the DPAO are not inhibited [43].…”