Evidence and Long-Term Feasibility of Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal in Oxidation-Ditch Type of Aerated-Anoxic Activated Sludge Systems

This study investigated the potential of four full-scale oxidation ditches to accomplish enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). Despite the fact that none of the tested oxidation ditches were designed to perform EBPR, mixed liquors from all four ditches showed good specific phosphorus release and uptake rates, a typical characteristic of a typical EBPR biomass. The specific phosphorus release rates ranged from 0.042- to 0.254-mg P/mg VSS-d and the specific phosphorus uptake rates ranged from 0.023- to 0.125-mg P/mg VSS-d for the tested full-scale plants. The EBPR potential of one of the full-scale plants (Central Davis Sewer District) was further studied by changing the aeration patterns in the ditch. The mixed liquor in this full-scale plant exhibited good phosphorus release and uptake trends and dissolved phosphorus, as low as 1.26 mg/L, could be accomplished in the final effluent of this plant as a result of this optimization. The long-term feasibility of the EBPR in this full-scale was tested by running a bench-scale EBPR reactor, in which the anaerobic phase was replaced with aerated-anaerobic phase to simulate the mixed liquor environment that exists in Central Davis mixed liquor and, in general, in all oxidation-ditch-type activated sludge configurations. The bench-scale reactor showed consistent EBPR activity in the absence of an anaerobic environment and more than 85% phosphorus removal could be maintained in the reactor for more than 400 days. The intrafloc microanaerobic/anoxic zones, which may be present in the mixed liquor, did not seem to add to the EBPR efficiency under aerated-anaerobic conditions. Cloning and sequencing using Rhodocyclus specific forward primer RHC439 showed the abundance of organisms most closely falling in Rhodocyclaceae family but not related to Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis. Simultaneous 4′-6–Diamidino-2–phenylindole (DAPI) staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using RHC439 probe clearly demonstrated the participation of polyphosphate accumulating organism (PAOs) targeted by RHC439 (i.e., in Rhodocyclaceae family). Microautoradiography assisted FISH using RHC439 further confirmed the participation of PAOs in Rhodocyclaceae family.     

Simple Rule-Based Algorithm for Optimizing Volatile Fatty Acids Production in Primary Sludge Fermentation Schemes

In this paper, a model-based algorithm for optimizing the primary sludge fermentation process design and operation is described and evaluated. This is a recently used method to obtain the volatile fatty acid (VFA), needed for the enhanced biological phosphorus removal process, directly from raw wastewater. The proposed algorithm consists of a heuristic reasoning algorithm based on the expert knowledge of the process. Only effluent VFA and the sludge blanket height have to be set as design criteria, and the optimization algorithm obtains the minimum return sludge and waste sludge flow rates which fulfill those design criteria. It has been evaluated by simulating different temperature and sludge volume index (SVI) influent conditions in order to evaluate the algorithm performance under different conditions, as well as its sensitivity with respect to temperature and SVI, which are the most important parameters in these systems. The same tendencies observed by simulation were observed afterward in pilot plant experiments.     

Effect of Microaerophilic Conditions on Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion Process

A pilot-scale, first-stage, autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion reactor was used to study the effect of microaerophilic conditions on sludge solids destruction, volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, and phosphorus release. For the aeration rates of 0–100 mL∕min and the reactor sludge volume of 72 L, with a primary to secondary sludge ratio of 35:65, the solids destruction efficiency ranged between 19.5 and 23.8%, as measured by total suspended solids (TSS). The maximum increase in VFA concentration (483 mg∕L as acetic acid) occurred at the low airflow rate of 25 mL∕min. The unit VFA production ranged from 0.009 to 0.183 mg of VFA generated∕mg of TSS destroyed, with the dominance of acetic acid. The milligrams of phosphorus released per milligrams of TSS destroyed was from 0.018 to 0.0312, with the maximum measured when no air (nitrogen) was supplied; but the maximum ratio of VFA to PO4 (equal to 8.2) was measured when the air supply was at 25 mL∕min.     

In Situ Microscale Analyses of Activated Sludge Flocs in the Enhanced Biological Phosphate Removal Process by the Use of Microelectrodes and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization

Phosphate concentration microprofiles were measured within activated sludge flocs in the enhanced biological phosphate removal (EBPR) process, and a fluorescent in situ hybridization and clone library analysis were conducted to indentify polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). The center of the flocs had the highest phosphate concentrations, and the stratification of the flocs found by microprofiling indicated that the PAOs were probably distributed evenly throughout the flocs. Under the assumption that the phosphate, which was generated because of phosphate release by microbial activity, was not consumed by microbes and was only transferred from the flocs to the bulk by diffusion during anaerobic conditions, the effective diffusion coefficient (Df) for phosphate release within the flocs was calculated to be 3.33×10?7?cm2/s at the end of the anaerobic phase of the EBPR process. These results provide a better understanding of the phosphate removal mechanism, and this understanding of the internal function of flocs can lead to improvement in the modeling, design, and operation of the biological phosphorus removal process.     

VFA Production in Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion of Municipal Sludges

Volatile fatty acids (VFA) are a principal carbon substrate used in biological nutrient removal processes, and an increase in their concentration can enhance process performance. In the autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) of primary sludge, a reduction in both aeration and retention time had been reported to enhance VFA production. However, smaller wastewater treatment plants, which are suitable for ATAD, often combine sludge in a single digestion process for convenience. Consequently, research was undertaken to determine if a mixture of primary and secondary sludge would increase VFA production, compared to primary sludge alone, in the first stage of ATAD. Secondary sludge was predicted to further enhance VFA production by providing the required substrate “prepackaged” in the correct ratios. The results illustrated that the incorporation of secondary sludge into the primary sludge feed resulted in increased production and accumulation of VFA. The greatest production and accumulation were produced with the digestion of 100% secondary sludge. In addition, analysis of nutrient species confirmed that the mixing of primary and secondary sludge, as well as the ATAD of mixed and secondary sludge, results in the release of stored phosphorus and an increase in ammonia nitrogen.     

Determining the Volatile Fatty Acid Equivalent in Thermophilic Aerobically Digested Sludge Supernatant

Thermophilic aerobically digested (TAD) sludge supernatant has been found to be a potential carbon alternative for biological nutrient removal (BNR) enhancement in wastewater treatment plants. Carbonaceous substrates, other than the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in TAD supernatant, were also found to be utilizable in BNR enhancement; however, these carbon compounds could not be detected by conventional chemical analyses (e.g., gas chromatography). A headspace carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring method was tested in this study to estimate the overall available carbon source, or the VFAs accumulated in a microaerated TAD operation. This on-line method uses real activated sludge and TAD supernatant samples to determine the available carbon equivalent in real time. In comparison to the gas chromatography (GC) analyses of the TAD supernatant samples, the headspace CO2 monitoring method resulted in “overestimation” of VFA concentrations, in both the phosphorus release and denitrification reactions. Operating results suggested that the CO2 monitoring approach was capable of revealing the overall VFA equivalent that could be available for the main BNR reactions.     

Evaluation of Influent Medium Composition and Concentration in a Batch Reactor for Effective Startup of UASB Reactors

This study demonstrated the use of batch bioreactor experiments as an evaluation tool to determine appropriate influent medium composition and concentration for effective startup of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. Using seed sludge from a domestic treatment plant, the weight ratio of glucose and volatile fatty acids (VFA) present in the influent synthetic medium was varied and the batch performance was assessed in terms of pH variation during the course of the experiment, chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, specific substrate uptake rates, methanogenic activity, and methane yield. The performance was also evaluated by increasing the concentration of influent COD. Medium composition with glucose to VFA weight ratio at or below 2:8 and COD concentration at 11?g/L was determined to be optimum for effective startup of the UASB reactors. Utilization of the optimized influent medium provided a pH variation from 6.5 to 7.8 over the length of the UASB reactor and resulted in granule formation, high methanogenic activity, and methane yield. The evaluation method provided a practical approach to determine the applicability of seed sludge from a particular source and the desired influent characteristics for reduced startup duration in UASB processes.     

Contrasting the Benefits of Primary Clarification versus Prefermentation in Activated Sludge Biological Nutrient Removal Systems

The potential benefits prefermentation can provide to biological nutrient removal are measured and compared to the costs of excess oxygen consumption and sludge production incurred by an activated sludge system that utilizes prefermentation, instead of primary clarification. Prefermentation was found to produce superior performance in regards to enhanced biological phosphorus removal. A lower soluble orthophosphorus effluent value [3.2?mg/L for the prefermented activated sludge (PAS) train versus 4.6?mg/L for the control train with primary clarification (PCAS)] and a higher percent phosphorus (% P) content of the biomass (9.0% for the PAS train versus 7.8% for the PCAS train) were both found to be statistically significant (P values of 4.26×10?5 and 0.0082, respectively). In addition statistically significant improvements in denitrification rates and reduced observed yields were observed due to prefermentation. However statistically significant increases in solids inventory and in particular oxygen uptake rates offset these improvements. Waste activated sludge production was slightly higher in the PAS train but was not found to be statistically significant.     

Simultaneous Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal from High-Strength Industrial Wastewater Using Aerobic Granular Sludge

Aerobic granular sludge technology was applied to the simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal from livestock wastewater that contains high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus (TN: 650?mg/L; TP: 125?mg/L). A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor was operated in an alternating anaerobic/oxic/anoxic denitrification mode. Granular sludge was first formed using synthetic wastewater. When livestock wastewater was diluted with tap water, the shape and settleability of aerobic granular sludge were maintained even though livestock wastewater contained suspended solids. Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphate uptake were observed under an aerobic condition. However, when nondiluted livestock wastewater was used, the diameter of granular sludge and the denitrification efficiency under an oxic condition decreased. When the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater increased, hydraulic retention time (HRT) increased resulting in a decrease in selection pressure for granular sludge. Therefore, the sustainment of granular sludge was difficult in livestock wastewater treatment. However, by applying a new excess sludge discharge method based on Stokes’ law, the shape of granular sludge was maintained in spite of the long HRT (7.5?days). To select large granular sludge particles, excess sludge was discharged from the upper part of settled sludge because small particles localized there after settling. Finally, excellent nitrogen and phosphorus removal was accomplished in practical livestock wastewater treatment. The effluent concentrations of NH4–N, NOx–N, and PO4–P were <0.1, 1.4, and 1.2?mg/L, respectively.     

Microbial Adaptability to Organic Loading Changes in an Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Process

The enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) performances of phosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) under organic loading fluctuations were investigated using a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with anaerobic/oxic stages. The adaptability of PAOs was evaluated after establishing a normal steady-state condition [chemical oxygen demand (CODin)=150 mg/L]. During SBR operation, the initial COD was changed gradually or abruptly. When the initial COD increased gradually from the steady state to 300 mg/L, the biomass increased steadily and the system showed stable EBPR. However, when the initial COD oscillated from 150 to 300 or 50 mg/L abruptly, PAOs could not adapt themselves to these sudden changes, resulting in unstable EBPR. When the organic loading returned to a normal condition, the system was recovered to stable EBPR in 2 days after the high organic loading fluctuation, while it was not after the low organic loading fluctuation. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization technique, Rhodocyclus-related PAO population changes were monitored. It was demonstrated that PAOs would wash out faster under the low organic loading fluctuation than the high organic loading fluctuation.     

Optimization of Internal Bypass Ratio for Complete Ammonium and Phosphate Removal in a Dephanox-Type Two-Sludge Denitrification System

The capacity of complete simultaneous ammonium and phosphate removal was studied in a laboratory scale Dephanox system in relation to its internal bypass ratio (BPR). In this configuration, most of the ammonium detected in the effluent is ammonium bypassed by the system’s internal settler. Therefore, this research studies the possibility of complete simultaneous ammonium and phosphate removal by means of the balance of bypassed ammonium with ammonium requirement for growth of denitrifying phosphorus accumulating organisms in the anoxic tank. During these experiments, ammonium removal was governed by internal BPR and limited by sludge settleability. The predominant anaerobic-anoxic sludge developed a high settleability, allowing the application of drastic low BPRs. The system studied under many BPRs proved to achieve almost complete simultaneous ammonium and phosphate removal for BPRs ranging from 0.08 to 0.13 of the influent. A BPR lower than the inferior limit produced extreme accumulation of sludge into the internal settler, interfering in the distribution of sludge and consequently in removal efficiency. A positive effect of the internal settler was the extension of anaerobic contact time and anaerobic solids retention time. The increased phosphorus release suggests that a higher volatile fatty acids production might have occurred when raw wastewater was used as influent.     

Changes in Polyhydroxy-Alkanoates (PHAs) during Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal with Dairy Industrial Wastewater

Using the industrial wastewater from a dairy plant, the performance of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) with complex organic substances was evaluated. A laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated and the organic loading rate in total chemical oxygen demand (tCOD) increased gradually from 200–600?g-tCOD?m?3?cycle?1 in three steps. As the organic loading increased, the food to microorganism ratio (F/M) increased from 0.16–0.27 (g-tCOD/g-MLVSS d). When it increased over 600?g-tCOD?m?3?cycle?1, the effluent phosphorus concentration fluctuated, showing an unstable EBPR activity. During the anaerobic condition, higher fraction of poly-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) was observed and the ratio of PHV to poly-3-hydroxybuyrate (PHB) production (ΔPHV/ΔPHB) ranged 1.2 ～ 3.4?mM-C/mM-C. PHV was produced faster and used later than PHB. By applying fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, the percentage of Rhodocyclus-related bacteria to the total cell counts was monitored as an indicator of phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs). The population accounted for 38.3±16.2% at low organic loading rate and stayed at the same level as the organic loading rate increased.     

Biological Kinetic Data Evaluation of an Activated Sludge System Coupled with an Ultrafiltration Membrane

A membrane bioreactor (MBR) system treating wastewater containing high molecular weight compounds was operated at solids retention times (SRTs) ranging from 30 to 2 days. Chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies exceeded 99% and effective nitrification was obtained at SRTs between 30 and 5 days. A significant shift in the biological population structure was observed at the 2 days SRT as the content of gram-negative microorganisms increased and nitrifying bacteria were washed out. At this low SRT, limitations in the biological reaction kinetics resulted in incomplete degradation of the feed protein increasing the presence of soluble organic matter in the effluent. Furthermore, the diluted mixed liquor prevented the formation of a filtration cake on the membrane surface, further deteriorating effluent quality. Biological kinetic data parameters were analyzed using three different representations for biomass: volatile suspended solids, lipid phosphates, and total enzymatic activity. All three indicators exhibited similar trends resulting in very comparable estimates for endogenous decay coefficients, thus demonstrating the reliability of volatile suspended solids as a measure for biological activity in activated sludge. Lower than typical endogenous decay rates in the MBR suggested favorable environmental conditions for respiration and a lower potential for self oxidation and predation. The true yield coefficient was in the range of conventional activated sludge systems, refuting previous suggestions of lower yields in MBRs.     

好氧颗粒污泥的培养及处理低碳氮比废水效果

采用"搅拌-曝气-搅拌"间歇曝气运行模式,探索好氧颗粒污泥(AGS)在低碳氮比(1～6)废水中的形成规律及其对污染物的降解效果,旨在为低碳氮比污水的高效处理提供技术支持.当进水碳氮比为1～2.25时,接种污泥表现出明显的不适应,污泥量及颗粒化率增长缓慢,化学需氧量(COD)、总无机氮(TIN)及总磷(TP)的去除率较低...     

Short-Term Effects of Wastewater Biodegradability on Biological Phosphorus Removal

A steady-state laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor process for biological phosphorus removal (BPR) was developed, and the influence of wastewater biodegradability on BPR was studied in batch tests. Biodegradability was expressed in this work as the readily biodegradable fraction of wastewater COD (rbCOD) present in the mixed liquor after the anaerobic stage of the anaerobic/oxic cycle of the BPR process. The rbCOD fraction was changed by varying the organic composition of synthetic wastewater (different carbohydrates were used: saccharose, cellobiose, starch, and cellulose) or varying the anaerobic retention time (1.25, 4, 9, and 24 h) when only one kind of low biodegradable synthetic wastewater (starch composed) was used. A clear positive trend was observed between rbCOD and anaerobic P release, but such a clear relationship was not observed with BOD5 measurements. Soluble carbohydrates allowed a BPR mechanism, but particulate carbohydrates seemed to cause nonbiological P removal. An increase in anaerobic retention time improved rbCOD concentrations up to 50%, approximately, and P removal, but excessive retention times, >9 h, should be used to reach good BPR results.     

Computer Program Development for the Design of Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Processes

The Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) wastewater treatment systems are activated sludge biological nutrient removal processes that have been enhanced by the addition of biofilm support media into the aerobic zone of the system to obtain year round nitrification in activated sludge systems that otherwise could not support it. The objective of this study was to develop a computer package called “IFAS” that allows steady-state simulation of IFAS wastewater treatment processes based on the International Association Water Quality general model for activated sludge and empirical equations for chemical oxygen demand (COD) uptake and nitrification on integrated fixed film developed at Virginia Tech. The current version of the IFAS program supports only sponge-type media; however, the model could be modified for other media if the appropriate equations and required parameters values are known. Data obtained from IFAS sponge media pilot scale plants treating a weak municipal wastewater supplemented by sodium acetate, urea, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium phosphates and operated at different aerobic mean cells residence times were used to evaluate the model with parameter values for nitrification and COD uptake rates developed in batch studies. The model-generated ammonia and soluble COD profiles were insignificantly different statistically from the experimental data. The IFAS model satisfactorily predicts carbonaceous removal and nitrification, and has the potential to be a useful tool for scientists and engineers seeking to design and optimize either IFAS or conventional biological nutrient removal activated sludge systems.     

Comparison of Bacterial Bioluminescence with Activated Sludge Oxygen Uptake Rates during Zinc Toxic Shock Loads in a Wastewater Treatment System

The use of a bioengineered bioluminescent bacterium (Shk1) for monitoring zinc toxicity was evaluated with samples from a municipal activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and in a bench-scale activated sludge system. Bioluminescent measurements were compared with oxygen uptake rates of activated sludge samples. In batch experiments with activated sludge, the Zn EC50 for Shk1 bioluminescence was 16 mg/L, while the Zn EC50 for activated sludge OURs was approximately 58 mg/L. In the bench-scale system, the influent Zn concentrations tested were 50 and 200 mg/L in toxic shock loads of about 4 h duration. Soluble Zn transport through the influent, aeration basin, and clarifier was able to be monitored by the decrease in Shk1 bioluminescence. However, bioluminescence in samples from the aeration basin decreased faster than activated sludge specific oxygen uptake rates. Differences in responses of Shk1 and the activated sludge community may be due to differences in the assay conditions, the growth forms, physiology of the organisms, or previous cultivation conditions.     

Influence of COD:N:P Ratio on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal in Fixed-Bed Filter

This study examined the effects of COD:N:P ratio on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in a single upflow fixed-bed filter provided with anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic conditions through effluent and sludge recirculation and diffused air aeration. A high-strength wastewater mainly made of peptone, ammonium chloride, monopotassium phosphate, and sodium bicarbonate with varying COD, N, and P concentrations (COD: 2,500–6,000, N: 25–100, and P: 20–50 mg/L) was used as a substrate feed. Sodium acetate provided about 1,500 mg/L of the wastewater COD while the remainder was provided by glucose and peptone. A series of orthogonal tests using three factors, namely, COD, N, and P concentrations, at three different concentration levels were carried out. The experimental results obtained revealed that phosphorus removal efficiency was affected more by its own concentration than that of COD and N concentrations; while nitrogen removal efficiency was unaffected by different phosphorus concentrations. At a COD:N:P ratio of 300:5:1, both nitrogen and phosphorus were effectively removed using the filter, with removal efficiencies at 87 and 76%, respectively, under volumetric loadings of 0.1?kg?N/m3?d and 0.02?kg?P/m3?d.     

Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Performance and Microbial Population Changes at High Organic Loading Rates

A laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor was operated and the dynamics of Rhodocyclus-related phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) population was monitored. After the system reached a steady state and showed a stable enhanced biological phosphorus removal status, the organic loading rate was increased from 160 to 1,020?g?COD?m?3?cycle?1 in five steps. When the P storage capacity reached maximum at 330?g?COD?m?3?cycle?1, the system lost the stability and the effluent phosphorus concentration fluctuated. As the organic loading rate increased from 160 to 1,020?g?COD?m?3?cycle?1, the PAO population decreased from 83.8±4.9 to 32.2±16.2% and internal polyphosphate content decreased from 0.20 to 0.03?mg?P?mg?VSS?1. Phosphate-accumulating metabolism was weakened as the organic loading rate increased and PAO population decreased concomitantly, whereas glycogen-accumulating metabolism increased at high organic loading rates as supported by the increased intracellular glycogen content and production of a higher fraction of intracellular poly-β-hydroxyl valerate.     

Inhibition of anaerobic phosphate release by nitric oxide in activated sludge

Activated sludge not containing significant numbers of denitrifying, polyphosphate [poly(P)]-accumulating bacteria was grown in a fill-and-draw system and exposed to alternating anaerobic and aerobic periods. During the aerobic period, poly(P) accumulated up to 100 mg of P x g of (dry) weight. When portions of the sludge were incubated anaerobically in the presence of acetate, 80 to 90% of the intracellular poly(P) was degraded and released as orthophosphate. Degradation of poly(P) was mainly catalyzed by the concerted action of polyphosphate:AMP phosphotransferase and adenylate kinase, resulting in ATP formation. In the presence of 0.3 mM nitric oxide (NO) in the liquid-phase release of phosphate, uptake of acetate, formation of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate, utilization of glycogen, and formation of ATP were severely inhibited or completely abolished. In cell extracts of the sludge, adenylate kinase activity was completely inhibited by 0.15 mM NO. The nature of this inhibition was probably noncompetitive, similar to that with hog adenylate kinase. Activated sludge polyphosphate glucokinase was also completely inhibited by 0.15 mM NO. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of NO on acetate-mediated phosphate release by the sludge used in this study is due to the inhibition of adenylate kinase in the phosphate-releasing organisms. The inhibitory effect of nitrate and nitrite on phosphate release is probably due to their conversion to NO. The lack of any inhibitory effect of NO on adenylate kinase of the poly(P)-accumulating Acinetobacter johnsonii 210A suggests that this type of organism is not involved in the enhanced biological phosphate removal by the sludges used.