Effect of nitrite on phosphate uptake by phosphate accumulating organisms

In biological nitrogen removal processes, nitrite can be formed and accumulated through both nitrification and denitrification. Despite the fact that, in practice, biological phosphate removal (BPR) is often combined with biological nitrogen removal, there are only a few publications reporting the effect of nitrite on BPR. In this study, phosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) were cultivated in an anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The effect of nitrite on the enrichment of the sludge with PAO, the phosphate uptake rates and the sludge respiration was investigated. The results indicate that (1) presence of nitrite inhibits both aerobic and anoxic (denitrifying) phosphate uptake, (2) aerobic phosphate uptake was more affected than anoxic phosphate uptake, (3) presence of nitrite could be one of the factors enhancing the presence of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAO)--competitors to PAO for substrate in the anaerobic phase, and (4) it is required to monitor and control nitrite accumulation in a full-scale wastewater treatment plants.     

Kinetics of anaerobic orthophosphate release and substrate uptake in enhanced biological phosphorus removal from synthetic wastewater

This paper presents some new results about the kinetics of orthophosphate release and substrate uptake occurring under anaerobic conditions in a lab-scale activated sludge plant consisting of an anaerobic first and an aerobic second step A/O-process. The synthetic wastewater contained acetate, peptone and yeast extract. The mixed culture was enriched from activated sludge samples from a large-scale plant with enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Anaerobic batch experiments were carried out with this enriched mixed culture using acetate as the only source for carbon and energy. In the first experiments, high acetate concentration was only partly consumed by the bacterial culture, resulting in a nearly total emptying of the poly-P-store (poly-P-limitation). In the next experiments, only a relatively low acetate concentration was added, resulting in a total acetate uptake and in partial emptying of the poly-P-store (acetate-limitation). This experimental strategy was successful in studying the complex kinetics of the anaerobic process in enhanced phosphorus removal. Most of the calculated kinetic coefficients depend on temperature; a dependence on pH cannot be postulated with certainty. A comparison with known results shows conformity but also differences.     

Phosphate uptake under anoxic conditions and fixed-film nitrification in nutrient removal activated sludge system

Simultaneous enhanced biological phosphate uptake and biological denitrification under anoxic conditions were investigated in a modified lab-scale nutrient removal activated sludge system. The aim of the experiments was to find whether poly-P bacteria are capable of taking up phosphate under anoxic conditions by utilising nitrate as an electron acceptor. The phosphate uptake in anoxic conditions was compared to that in aerobic environment in batch tests. The results of the long-term operation of continuous-flow lab-scale system as well as the results of batch tests showed that the anoxic phosphate uptake with simultaneous denitrification after preceding anaerobic substrate uptake could significantly reduce the extent of competition for organic substrate between poly-P bacteria and denitrifiers. A side-stream nitrification in fixed-film reactor enabled to reduce the losses of organic carbon by aerobic oxidation and to stabilise the slow-growing population of nitrifiers in the system.     

应用SBR实现有机废水厌氧氨氧化生物脱氮的研究

采用SBR反应器,以硝化污泥和厌氧氨氧化(ANAMMOX)颗粒污泥的混合污泥为接种污泥,以有机模拟废水为研究对象,进行了厌氧氨氧化生物脱氮工艺研究。结果表明,在控制温度为25℃,水力停留时间为12 d,pH值为7.2～8.5,进水NH4+-N为220 mg/L左右、NO2--N为138 mg/L左右、COD为294 mg/L的条件下成功启动了SBR反应器。在高氨氮、低有机物浓度的条件下,ANAMMOX菌和异养反硝化菌能够实现共存,且ANAMMOX菌仍能成为优势菌属,AN-AMMOX反应是反应器中的主导反应。镜检发现,优势菌尺寸约为1μm,呈圆形或椭圆形,成簇聚生,表面可观察到明显的漏斗状缺口,具有典型的厌氧氨氧化菌特征。污泥中形成了以厌氧氨氧化球状菌为主、其他杆状菌和丝状菌共存的微生物混培体。     

氧化沟脱氮除磷强化途径

针对氧化沟脱氮除磷过程特点,分析了氧化沟脱氮除磷强化过程,探讨了氧化沟脱氮除磷适宜环境条件,从如下四个方面提出了改善氧化沟脱氮除磷性能的途径和方法:(1)安排合适的曝气器、进水口、出水口、回流口位置,将氧化沟反应区段构建成倒置A2/O脱氮除磷工艺;(2)将氧化沟设计成立面水流循环的形式,尽可能在沟渠内构建一个较严格的厌氧区段;(3)确定适当的供氧量,避免供氧量不足造成氨氮硝化与吸磷不充分;避免供氧过度导致碳源被大量消耗影响反硝化、溶解氧浓度偏高影响厌氧释磷;(4)确定适宜的氧化沟水力工作条件、供氧方式。     

常温EGSB去除有机物的性能与机理

将厌氧污泥膨胀床(EGSB)分别与厌氧生物滤池、好氧生物滤池和活性污泥法串联并用其处理城市污水,考察了EGSB在常温下的工艺性能和去除有机物的机理。结果表明,在常温和较短水力停留时间下,EGSB的厌氧生化过程主要停留在水解阶段,对有机物的去除主要以颗粒污泥的吸附、吸收作用为主;影响EGSB处理效果的主要因素有温度、上升流速、水力停留时间、进水浓度及容积负荷等。     

硫酸盐还原对活性污泥沉降性能的影响

采用双SBR和人工配水进行试验,考察了厌氧选择器中硫酸盐还原对好氧反应器内活性污泥沉降性能的影响。结果表明,当进水硫酸盐浓度一定时,厌氧选择器的水力停留时间越长,则硫酸盐的还原程度越高;当厌氧选择器的水力停留时间一定时,进水的硫酸盐浓度越高,则硫酸盐的还原程度越高。当进水硫酸盐浓度为85 mg/L、在厌氧选择器水力停留时间为60 min时,好氧反应器内已有污泥膨胀迹象;当进水硫酸盐浓度为125 mg/L、在厌氧选择器水力停留时间为60min时,好氧反应器内开始发生污泥膨胀,镜检发现活性污泥中存在大量丝状菌;当进水硫酸盐浓度为250 mg/L、在厌氧选择器水力停留时间为20 min时,好氧反应器内活性污泥膨胀严重,反应器内污泥浓度降低,出水漏泥现象严重,影响到反应器的处理效果。     

Phenol biodegradation and its effect on the nitrification process

Phenol biodegradation under aerobic conditions and its effect on the nitrification process were studied, first in batch assays and then in an activated sludge reactor. In batch assays, phenol was completely biodegraded at concentrations ranging from 100 to 2500 mg l(-1). Phenol was inhibitory to the nitrification process, showing more inhibition at higher initial phenol concentrations. At initial phenol concentrations above 1000 mg l(-1), the level of nitrification decreased. In the activated sludge reactor, the applied ammonium loading rate was maintained at 140 mg N-NH(4)(+)l(-1)d(-1) (350 mg N-NH(4)(+)l(-1)) during the operation time. However, the applied organic loading rate was increased stepwise from 30 to 2700 mg COD l(-1)d(-1) by increasing the phenol concentration from 35 up to 2800 mg l(-1). High phenol removal efficiencies, above 99.9%, were maintained at all the applied organic loading rates. Ammonium removal was also very high during the operation period, around 99.8%, indicating that there was no inhibition of nitrification by phenol.     

亚硝酸盐对聚磷菌厌氧代谢的影响

以2种强化生物除磷(EBPR)系统中的活性污泥为研究对象,考察亚硝酸盐对聚磷菌厌氧代谢的影响,结果表明：不同EBPR系统中的聚磷菌对于亚硝酸盐的耐受能力不同。人工配水富集聚磷菌的活性污泥,当亚硝态氮浓度超过10 mg/L时,聚磷菌吸收VFA受到抑制, PHA的合成减少,磷酸盐的释放增加;处理生活污水的SBR短程脱氮除磷活性污泥,亚硝酸盐的浓度高达30 mg/L时,未对聚磷菌的厌氧代谢造成抑制,但引起异养反硝化菌与聚磷菌竞争VFA,导致PHA合成量和释磷量的减少。富集聚磷菌的活性污泥投加亚硝酸盐后P/VFA     

Effect of EDTA and Fe-EDTA complex concentration on TCF Kraft mill effluent degradability. Batch and continuous treatments

The effect of ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) and Fe-EDTA complex on synthetic totally chlorine-free (TCF) effluent degradability in batch and continuously operating reactors was evaluated. Under batch treatment, the addition of EDTA and Fe-EDTA complex was studied in the range of 80 to 320 mg l(-1). Under continuously operated reactors, the Fe-EDTA complex concentration varied from 20 to 80 mg l(-1), and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) varied from 48 to 24 h. Sludge oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal decreased when EDTA concentration increased in the influent under batch treatment; however, this inhibitory effect was reduced by the addition of Fe-EDTA complex. Without the addition of EDTA, COD removal decreased from 71% to 8%. The most efficient EDTA removal treatment (almost 10%) was the treatment of 80 mg l(-1) Fe-EDTA. Under continuously operated reactors, COD removal was greater than 57% in the synthetic TCF effluent with a Fe-EDTA concentration that varied from 20 to 80 mg l(-1); however, EDTA removal was lower than 25% in all cases. Synthetic TCF effluent with a Fe -EDTA concentration higher than 80 mg l(-1) could not be treated by the activated sludge treatment due to EDTA's inhibitory effect on the sludge.     

同时硝化/反硝化除磷过程的控制策略研究

为实现同时硝化/反硝化除磷(SNDPR)过程,在SBR反应器内,采用模拟低碳源污水和厌氧-交替好氧/缺氧的运行方式对污泥进行培养驯化,成功实现了反硝化聚磷茵和硝化茵的良好共存.在此基础上,考察了厌氧/间歇曝气和厌氧/连续曝气两种模式下SNDPR工艺对污水的处理效果.结果表明,在上述两种模式下,系统对TP的去除率分别为92%和90%,对TN的去除率分别为83%和72%;厌氧/间歇曝气模式更有利于SNDPR工艺对低碳源污水的处理.另外,对电化学参数的研究表明,pH曲线上的"膝点"可近似预示SNDPR过程的结束,而ORP的变化范围及稳定性可预示SNDPR过程中硝化和反硝化除磷同时发生的平衡程度.     

Influence of operational parameters on nitrogen removal efficiency and microbial communities in a full-scale activated sludge process

To improve the efficiency of total nitrogen (TN) removal, solid retention time (SRT) and internal recycling ratio controls were selected as operating parameters in a full-scale activated sludge process treating high strength industrial wastewater. Increased biomass concentration via SRT control enhanced TN removal. Also, decreasing the internal recycling ratio restored the nitrification process, which had been inhibited by phenol shock loading. Therefore, physiological alteration of the bacterial populations by application of specific operational strategies may stabilize the activated sludge process. Additionally, two dominant ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) populations, Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosomonas nitrosa, were observed in all samples with no change in the community composition of AOB. In a nitrification tank, it was observed that the Nitrobacter populations consistently exceeded those of the Nitrospira within the nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) community. Through using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), nirS, the nitrite reducing functional gene, was observed to predominate in the activated sludge of an anoxic tank, whereas there was the least amount of the narG gene, the nitrate reducing functional gene.     

Steady-state model-based evaluation of sulfate reduction, autotrophic denitrification and nitrification integrated (SANI) process

Recently we developed a process for wastewater treatment in places where part of the fresh water usage is replaced by seawater usage. The treatment of this saline sewage consists of sulfate reduction, autotrophic denitrification and nitrification integrated (SANI) process. The process consists of an up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) for sulfate reduction, an anoxic filter for autotrophic denitrification using dissolved sulfide produced in the UASB and an aerobic filter for nitrification. The system was operated for 500 days with 97% COD removal and 74% total nitrogen removal without withdrawal of sludge. To verify these results and to understand this novel process, a steady-state model was developed from the COD, nitrogen and sulfur mass and charge balances based on the stoichiometries of the sulfate reduction, the autotrophic denitrification and the autotrophic nitrification. The model predictions agreed well with measured data on COD, nitrate and sulfate removal, sulfide production, effluent TSS, and mass balances of COD, sulfur and nitrogen in the three reactors. The model explains why withdrawal of sludge from the SANI system is not needed through comparisons of the predictions and measurements of effluent TSS and phosphorus concentrations.     

Development of a 2-sludge, 3-stage system for nitrogen and phosphorous removal from nutrient-rich wastewater using granular sludge and biofilms

A novel 2-sludge 3-stage process using a combination of granular sludge and biofilm was developed to achieve biological removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from nutrient-rich wastewater. The system consists of a granular sequencing batch reactor (SBR) working under alternating anaerobic/anoxic conditions supplemented with a short aerobic phase and an aerobic biofilm SBR. The wastewater is first fed to the granular SBR reactor, where easily biodegradable carbon sources are taken up primarily by polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). The supernatant resulting from quick settling of the granular sludge is then fed to the biofilm SBR for nitrification, which produces oxidized nitrogen that is returned to the granular reactor for simultaneous denitrification and phosphorus removal. While maximizing the utilization of organic substrates and reducing operational costs, as do other 2-sludge processes previously reported in literature, the proposed system solves the bottleneck problem of traditional 2-sludge systems, namely high effluent ammonia concentration, due to its high-volume exchange ratios. An ammonia oxidation rate of 32 mg N/Lh was achieved in the biofilm SBR, which produced nitrite as the final product. This nitrite stream was found to cause major inhibition on the anoxic P uptake and also to result in the accumulation of N(2)O. These problems were solved by feeding the nitrite-containing stream continuously to the granular reactor in the anoxic phase. With a nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of 81% and 94%, respectively, the system produces an effluent that is suitable for land irrigation from a wastewater stream containing 270 mg N/L of total nitrogen and 40 mg P/L of total phosphorus.     

倒置A~2/O工艺的原理与特点研究

通过短时厌氧环境的生化特性、厌氧 /缺氧环境倒置效应和小型系统平行对比试验 ,较系统地研究了倒置A2 /O工艺的原理和工艺特点。指出 :①聚磷菌厌氧有效释磷水平的充分与否 ,并不是决定其在后续曝气条件下过度吸磷能力的充分必要条件。推进聚磷菌过度吸磷的本质动力与厌氧区HRT和厌氧环境的厌氧程度有关。在一定范围内 ,厌氧环境的HRT越长 ,厌氧程度越充分 ,聚磷菌的吸磷动力越强。②把常规生物脱氮除磷系统的厌氧、缺氧环境倒置过来 ,可以得到更好的脱氮除磷效果。小型系统平行对比试验表明 ,倒置A2 /O工艺的氮磷脱除功能明显优于常规A2 /O工艺 ,其COD去除能力则与常规A2 /O工艺相当。     

Simultaneous nitrogen and phosphate removal in aerobic granular sludge reactors operated at different temperatures

The main biological conversions taking place in two lab-scale aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactors were evaluated. Reactors were operated at different temperatures (20 and 30 °C) and accomplished simultaneous COD, nitrogen and phosphate removal. Nitrogen and phosphate conversions were linked to the microbial community structure as assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Anoxic tests were performed to evaluate the contribution of anoxic phosphate uptake to the overall phosphate removal and to clarify the denitrification pathway. Complete nitrification/denitrification and phosphate removal were achieved in both systems. A considerable fraction of the phosphate removal was coupled to denitrification (denitrifying dephosphatation). From the results obtained in anoxic batch experiments dosing either nitrite or nitrate, denitrification was proposed to proceed mainly via the nitrate pathway. Denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms (DGAOs) were observed to be the main organisms responsible for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite. A significant fraction of the nitrite was further reduced to nitrogen gas while being used as electron acceptor by denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO clade II) for anoxic phosphate uptake.     

污泥龄对活性污泥絮体中磷形态与分布的影响

以污泥龄分别为4和20 d的两组SBR反应器为研究对象,利用SMT法测定活性污泥、细菌细胞和EPS中磷的形态与分布,探讨了污泥龄对活性污泥中磷形态和分布的影响。研究结果表明,高SRT污泥的TP含量约为低SRT污泥的1.56倍,这主要是由于前者较后者有更高的OP和AP含量。高SRT污泥中细菌细胞和EPS的TP含量均高于低SRT污泥中的,且高SRT污泥中EPS的OP含量远大于低SRT污泥中的。高SRT污泥的细菌细胞和EPS分别较低SRT污泥的细菌细胞和EPS有更大的厌氧释磷量和好氧吸磷量,前者厌氧释磷和好氧吸磷主要源自其OP含量的变化,后者则主要源自其IP含量的变化;在厌氧/好氧反应过程中,污泥中EPS的IP含量改变主要源自其NAIP含量的变化。     

Simultaneous removal of phenol and ammonia by an activated sludge process with cross-flow filtration

Attempts were made for removing ammonia from synthetic wastewater under the presence of phenol, which is inhibitory to nitrification, by using a single-stage activated sludge process with cross-flow filtration. Activated sludge biomass which had been acclimated with phenol for over 15 years was used for the inoculum, and synthetic wastewater was continuously supplied to the process retaining biomass at 8000 mg VSS l(-1). Phenol was completely removed, and ammonia was simultaneously nitrified to nitrate; nitrification rate reached 200 mg N l(-1) d(-1) when phenol was removed at a rate up to 300 mg l(-1) d(-1). It was observed that 0-13% of the ammonia was removed via denitrification. Intermittent aeration enhanced the denitrification rate to 160 mg N l(-1) d(-1) by utilizing phenol. and approximately 24% of the denitrified nitrogen was recovered as nitrous oxide. Methanol, which is the most commonly used electron donor in conventional nitrogen removal processes, did not enhance the denitrification rate of the phenol-acclimated activated sludge used in this study, however phenol did. The results suggest that this process potentially works as a space- and energy-saving nitrogen removal process by utilizing substances inhibitory to nitrifiers as electron donors for denitrification.     

Effects of chromium (VI) addition on the activated sludge process

The effect of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), addition on various operating parameters of activated sludge process was evaluated. To accomplish this, two parallel lab-scale continuous-flow activated sludge plants were operated. One was used as a control plant, while the other received Cr(VI) concentrations equal to 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 mgl(-1). Cr(VI) concentrations of 0.5 mgl(-1) caused significant inhibition of the nitrification process (up to 74% decrease in ammonia removal efficiency). On the contrary, the effect of Cr(VI) on organic substrate removal was minor for concentrations up to 5 mgl(-1), indicating that heterotrophic microorganisms are less sensitive to Cr(VI) than nitrifiers. Activated sludge floc size and structure characterization showed that Cr(VI) concentrations higher than 1 mgl(-1) reduced the filaments abundance, causing the appearance of pin-point flocs and free-dispersed bacteria. Additionally, the variability of protozoa and rotifers was reduced. As a result of disperse growth, effluent quality deteriorated, since significant amounts of suspended solids escaped with the effluent. Termination of Cr(VI) addition led to a partial recovery of the nitrification process (up to 57% recovery). Similar recovery signs were not observed for activated sludge floc size and structure. Finally, shock loading to the control plant with 5 mgl(-1) Cr(VI) for 2 days resulted in a significant inhibition of the nitrification process and a reduction in filamentous microorganisms abundance.     

Could polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) be glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs)?

Polyphosphate (poly-P) is known to be a key compound in the metabolism of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). In this study, a sludge highly enriched (80%) in Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis (hereafter referred to as Accumulibacter), a widely known PAO, was used to study the ability of these microorganisms to utilize acetate anaerobically under poly-P-limiting conditions. The biomass was subject to several anaerobic and aerobic cycles, during which the poly-P pool of PAOs was gradually emptied by supplying feed deficient in phosphate and washing the biomass at the end of each anaerobic period using media containing no phosphorus. After three cycles, phosphorus was hardly released but PAOs were still able to take up acetate and stored it as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), as demonstrated by post-FISH chemical staining. Glycogen degradation increased substantially, suggesting PAOs were using glycogen as the main energy source. This is a key feature of glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs), which are known to compete with PAOs in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems. The ratios between acetate uptake, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) production, and glycogen consumption agree well with the anaerobic models previously proposed for GAOs.