Nitrogen removal in moving bed sequencing batch reactor using polyurethane foam cubes of various sizes as carrier materials

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2011-11, Vol.102 (21), p.9876-9883
• Main Authors: Lim, Jun-Wei, Seng, Chye-Eng, Lim, Poh-Eng, Ng, Si-Ling, Ahmad Sujari, Amat-Ngilmi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aeration; Batch Cell Culture Techniques - instrumentation; batch systems; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; Biomass; Bioreactors; Bioreactors - microbiology; Biotechnology; Carrier mobility; Carriers; chemical oxygen demand; Cubes; denitrification; foams; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Moving bed sequencing batch reactor; nitrification; nitrogen; Nitrogen - isolation & purification; nitrogen content; Nitrogen removal; Oxygen - analysis; Particle Size; Polyurethane foam; polyurethanes; Polyurethanes - chemistry; Reactors; Sequencing; Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification; Solubility; Total nitrogen removal; Various methods and equipments; Waste water; wastewater; wastewater treatment; Water Purification - instrumentation; Water Purification - methods
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.08.014

► MBSBR with smaller-sized PU foam cubes achieved the highest total nitrogen removal. ► MBSBR performed better than SBR in TN removal due to the occurrence of SND process. ► Higher 8-mL PU foam cubes concentration in batch reactor led to higher TN removal. The performance of moving bed sequencing batch reactors (MBSBRs) added with 8 % (v/v) of polyurethane (PU) foam cubes as carrier media in nitrogen removal was investigated in treating low COD/N wastewater. The results indicate that MBSBR with 8-mL cubes achieved the highest total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency of 37% during the aeration period, followed by 31%, 24% and 19 % for MBSBRs with 27-, 64- and 125-mL cubes, respectively. The increased TN removal in MBSBRs was mainly due to simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) process which was verified by batch studies. The relatively lower TN removal in MBSBR with larger PU foam cubes was attributed to the observation that larger PU foam cubes were not fully attached by biomass. Higher concentrations of 8-mL PU foam cubes in batch reactors yielded higher TN removal.