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Simultaneous Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal in a Continuously Fed and Aerated Membrane Bioreactor |
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| Authors: | Ladan Holakoo George Nakhla Ernest K. Yanful Amarjeet S. Bassi |
| Affiliation: | 1PhD Candidate, Dept. of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B9. 2Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B9 (corresponding author). E-mail: 3Professor, Dept. of Civil and Engineering, Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B9. 4Professor, Dept. of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B9. |
| Abstract: | This research demonstrated the feasibility of simultaneous biological nitrogen and phosphorous removal in a single tank membrane bioreactor without cycling of air and/or feed through operation at a low dissolved oxygen (DO) and a high biomass concentration. Chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency was more than 98% and total nitrogen removal efficiency was 55%. Seventy-five percent of the total nitrogen removal was through simultaneous nitrification–denitrification (SND) and 25% through assimilation into the biomass. Interestingly, more than 98% phosphorous was removed and microbiological analysis showed the presence of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms in the activated sludge. The operating mixed-liquor suspended solids was between 16 and 23?g/L. The optimum DO was found to be 0.7–0.8?mg/L. |
| Keywords: | Reactors Phosphorus Abatement and removal Nitrogen Denitrification Nitrification Activated sludge |