Start‐up and enrichment of a granular anammox SBR to treat high nitrogen load wastewaters

BACKGROUND: Landfill leachate is characterized by low biodegradable organic matter that presents difficulties for the complete biological nitrogen removal usually performed by conventional biological nitrification/denitrification processes. To achieve this, the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process is a promising biological treatment. This paper presents an anammox start‐up and enrichment methodology for treating high nitrogen load wastewaters using sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology. RESULTS: The methodology is based on the gradual increase of the nitrite‐to‐ammonium molar ratio in the influent (from 0.76 to 1.32 mole NO₂^?‐N mole^?1NH₄⁺‐N) and on the exponential increase of the nitrogen loading rate (NLR, from 0.01 to 1.60 kg N m^?3 d^?1). 60 days after start‐up, anammox organisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique as Candidatus Brocadia anammoxidans. After one year of operation, NLR had reached a value of 1.60 kg N m^?3 d^?1 with a nitrogen (ammonium plus nitrite) removal efficiency of 99.7%. The anammox biomass activity was verified by nitrogen mass balances with 1.32 ± 0.05 mole of nitrite removed per mole of ammonium removed and 0.23 ± 0.05 mole of nitrate produced per mole of ammonium removed. Also, enrichment of anammox bacteria was quantified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis as 85.0 ± 1.8%. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides a methodology for the enrichment of the anammox biomass in a SBR to treat high nitrogen loaded wastewaters. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification with electricity generation in dual‐cathode microbial fuel cells

BACKGROUND: Nitrogen removal using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is of great interest owing to the potential benefits of bioenergy production. In this study, simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in dual‐cathode MFCs was investigated. RESULTS: The dual‐cathode MFCs investigated were capable of generating electricity and removing nitrogen, influenced by operating methods, nitrogen loading rates and external resistance. Depending on the ammonium concentration in the anode chamber, 84–97% of the ammonium nitrogen was removed via nitrification in the aerobic cathode. The removals of nitrate and total nitrogen were relatively low (～50%) at the influent ammonium concentration of 80 mg NH₄⁺‐N L^?1, but were significantly improved to more than 90% at a lower ammonium input (40 and 20 mg NH₄⁺‐N L^?1). When the electrode couples were electrically connected for different purposes, with high power output from the anode/aerobic cathode and high current generation from the anode/anoxic cathode, nitrogen removal was also improved. An investigation of aeration suggested that factors other than carbon supply, possibly inefficient reactor configuration, also limited the performance of the developed MFC. CONCLUSION: The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed pathway was feasible with effective nitrogen and organic removal. This study provided valuable information for the further development of a continuously operated dual‐cathode MFC system. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improvement of the settling properties of Anammox sludge in an SBR

Biological systems for the treatment of wastewater have to provide optimum sludge retention to achieve high removal efficiencies. In the case of slow‐growing micro‐organisms, such as anaerobic ammonia‐oxidizing (Anammox) bacteria, episodes of flotation involving biomass wash‐out are especially critical. In this study a strategy based on the introduction of a mix period in the operational cycle of the Anammox Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) was tested for its effects on biomass retention and nitrite removal. Using this new cycle distribution the biomass retention inside the reactor improved as the solids concentration in the effluent of the SBR decreased from 20–45 to 5–10 mg VSS dm^?3 and the biomass concentration inside the reactor increased from 1.30 to 2.53 g VSS dm^?3 in a period of 25 days. A decrease of the sludge volume index (SVI) from 108 to 60 cm³ g VSS^?1 was also observed. Complete depletion of nitrite was achieved in the reactor only with the new cycle distribution treating nitrogen loading rates (g N‐NO₂^? + g N‐NH₄⁺ dm^?3 d^?1) up to 0.60 g N dm^?3 d^?1. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

自养脱氮工艺有机物去除段与硝化段精确分离的实现与实时控制

为了实现城市污水处理过程中的节能降耗,提出了三段式城市污水自养脱氮工艺,阐述了除有机物SBR在整套工艺中的重要地位,探讨了不同曝气量与污泥浓度条件下,除有机物SBR中有机物的去除特征与规律。结果表明,在不同的曝气量及污泥浓度条件下,COD降解结束前NO₂^--N与NO₃^--N的浓度均低于0.1 mg·L^-1,反应器进入COD难降解阶段后,NO₂^--N与NO₃^--N的浓度快速提高,可以认为在除有机物SBR内有机物的去除和硝化过程是分步进行的,即先进行有机物的去除,而后进行硝化过程。DO曲线与pH曲线的突越点与除有机物过程的终点始终保持一致,可将其作为实时控制参数监测有机物的去除终点,对好氧曝气过程进行实时控制。     

Rate of ammonia oxidation in a synthetic saline wastewater by a nitrifying mixed‐culture

Most of the kinetic studies on nitrification have been performed in diluted salts medium. In this work, the ammonia oxidation rate (AOR) was determined by respirometry at different ammonia (0.01 and 33.5 mg N‐NH₃ L^?1), nitrite (0–450 mg N‐NO₂^? L^?1) and nitrate (0 and 275 mg N‐NO₃^? L^?1) concentrations in a saline medium at 30 °C and pH 7.5. Sodium azide was used to uncouple the ammonia and nitrite oxidation, so as to measure independently the AOR. It was determined that ammonia causes substrate inhibition and that nitrite and nitrate exhibit product inhibition upon the AOR. The effects of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were represented by the Andrews equation (maximal ammonia oxidation rate, r_AOMAX, = 43.2 [mg N‐NH₃ (g VSS_AO h)^?1]; half saturation constant, K_SAO, = 0.11 mg N‐NH₃ L^?1; inhibition constant K_IAO, = 7.65 mg N‐NH₃ L^?1), by the non‐competitive inhibition model (inhibition constant, K_INI, = 176 mg N‐NO₂^? L^?1) and by the partially competitive inhibition model (inhibition constant, K_INA, = 3.3 mg N‐NO₃^? L^?1; α factor = 0.24), respectively. The r_AOMAX value is smaller, and the K_SAO value larger, than the values reported in diluted salts medium; the K_IAO value is comparable to those reported. Process simulations with the kinetic model in batch nitrifying reactors showed that the inhibitory effects of nitrite and nitrate are significant for initial ammonia concentrations larger than 100 mg N‐NH₄⁺ L^?1. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

高氨氮垃圾渗滤液SBR法短程深度生物脱氮

以实际垃圾填埋场渗滤液为研究对象,应用SBR系统对该类废水短程生物脱氮的可行性进行研究,重点考察了短程生物脱氮实现、稳定及系统的脱氮性能.结果表明,经过95天的运行,SBR系统成功实现并维持了稳定短程生物脱氮,平均亚硝积累率在92.5%以上.获得了稳定的脱氮性能,NH4+-N,TN平均去除率分别在97.2%和91.7%以上.DO、ORP和pH曲线的特征点能够准确判断硝化和反硝化终点,可作为SBR处理垃圾渗滤液短程生物脱氮过程的控制参数.相对于氨氧化菌,亚硝酸盐氧化菌对FA、FNA更敏感,因此两者协同作用抑制亚硝酸盐氧化菌活性,再辅以过程控制,能够准确判断硝化终点,实现NOB从系统硝化菌群中逐渐被淘洗,AOB成为优势菌种的目标,这是系统长期维持稳定短程生物脱氮的决定因素,FISH检测结果证明了这一点.     

Simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal in an SBR controlled at low dissolved oxygen concentration

Simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal was studied in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with synthetic municipal wastewater and controlled at a low dissolved oxygen (DO) level (0.8 mg dm^?3). Experimental results over a long time (120 days) showed that the reactor achieved high treatment capacities (organic and nitrogen loading rates reached as high as 2.4 kg COD m^?3 d^?1 and 0.24 kg NH₃‐N m³ d^?1) and efficiencies (COD, NH₃‐N and total nitrogen removal efficiencies were 95%, 99% and 75%). No filamentous bacteria were found in the sludge even though the reactor had been seeded with filamentous bulking sludge. Instead, granular sludge, which possessed high activity and good settleability, was formed. Furthermore, the sludge production rate under low DO was less than that under high DO. Significant benefits, such as low investment and less operating cost, will be obtained from the new process. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Partial nitrification of sludge reject water using suspended and granular biomass

BACKGROUND: Partial nitrification–Anammox is a combined promising advanced biological process for the removal of nitrogen from wastewater, which allows important savings in energy consumption, sludge production, and organic carbon. Granular biomass appears to be an interesting alternative to conventional activated sludge, mainly because of its better settling properties. This study deals with the experimental results of a comparison between a conventional and a granular sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for the partial nitrification of reject water. RESULTS: After some days of operation, 30 days in the conventional SBR (system A) and 100 days in the granular SBR (system B), partial nitrification was achieved. Granular sludge showed much better settling properties than suspended biomass, with values of sludge volumetric index (SVI₁₀) of 130 mL g^?1 in system A and 38 mL g^?1 in system B. Consequently, the solids concentration within the granular reactor was three times higher than for the conventional system while the concentration of solids in the effluent was 10 times higher in the conventional SBR. Morphology, microstructure and microbial populations in both systems were also studied. CONCLUSION: A partial nitrification process was successfully achieved in both systems, obtaining an effluent with a NO₂^?‐N/NH₄⁺‐N ratio near 1, suitable for a following Anammox process. Granular biomass, mostly formed by round particles, showed better settling properties, leading to better sludge–effluent separation as well as higher biomass retention in the reactor. The granulation process does not affect bacterial populations, since they were the same in both systems. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development of a membrane‐assisted hybrid bioreactor for ammonia and COD removal in wastewaters

A new membrane‐assisted hybrid bioreactor was developed to remove ammonia and organic matter. This system was composed of a hybrid circulating bed reactor (CBR) coupled in series to an ultrafiltration membrane module for biomass separation. The growth of biomass both in suspension and biofilms was promoted in the hybrid reactor. The system was operated for 103 days, during which a constant ammonia loading rate (ALR) was fed to the system. The COD/N‐NH₄⁺ ratio was manipulated between 0 and 4, in order to study the effects of different organic matter concentrations on the nitrification capacity of the system. Experimental results have shown that it was feasible to operate with a membrane hybrid system attaining 99% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and ammonia conversion. The ALR was 0.92 kg N‐NH₄⁺ m^?3 d^?1 and the organic loading rate (OLR) achieved up to 3.6 kg COD m^?3 d^?1. Also, the concentration of ammonia in the effluent was low, 1 mg N‐NH₄⁺ dm^?3. Specific activity determinations have shown that there was a certain degree of segregation of nitrifiers and heterotrophs between the two biomass phases in the system. Growth of the slow‐growing nitrifiers took place preferentially in the biofilm and the fast‐growing heterotrophs grew in suspension. This fact allowed the nitrifying activity in the biofilm be maintained around 0.8 g N g^?1 protein d^?1, regardless of the addition of organic matter in the influent. The specific nitrifying activity of suspended biomass varied between 0.3 and 0.4 g N g^?1 VSS d^?1. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

单一缺氧/厌氧UASB同步反硝化产甲烷与A/O组合工艺处理实际晚期渗滤液

以实际高氮晚期渗滤液为研究对象,应用缺氧/厌氧UASB-A/O组合工艺重点研究有机物和氮的去除特性,同时考察了A/O系统内短程硝化实现途径及稳定方法。试验结果表明,该生化系统可实现有机物和氮的同步、深度去除。在原液COD平均为6537 mg·L^-1,NH⁺₄-N为2021 mg·L^-1的条件下,系统最终出水分别为300 mg·L^-1和15.6 mg·L^-1,去除率分别为95.4%和99.2%。UASB反应器的平均COD负荷为6.5 kg COD·m^-3·d^-1,去除速率为5.3 kg COD·m^-3·d^-1。在单一UASB反应器内,发生了缺氧反硝化和厌氧产甲烷的双重生化反应,UASB反应器内获得了几乎100%的反硝化率。通过高游离氨（FA）和游离亚硝酸（FNA）的协同作用,使A/O反应器实现并维持了稳定的短程硝化,通过99%以上的亚硝化率实现高效的氨氮去除。     

The effect of recycle ratio on nitrogen removal in the combined pre‐denitrification/nitrification biofilter system

Previous research has shown that nitrogen in municipal wastewater could be eliminated by a biofilter system. This study investigates the effect of the recycle ratio on total nitrogen removal and the nitrogen component in the effluent. In this study, a system combining pre‐denitrification/nitrification biofilters was set up. The experiments which varied the recycle ratio of the nitrifying solution to the influent were carried out in order to determine the amount of the total nitrogen removal and the form of nitrogen in the effluent. These experimental results show that total nitrogen removal might be dependent on nitrification but not on denitrification. Although the operation at a low recycle ratio would result in a lower value of total nitrogen removal, the NH₃‐N content of the effluent would be lower and the flow condition would be more stable. In comparison, operation at a higher recycle ratio would result in a lower NO₃^?‐N content in the effluent, while the NH₃‐N content in the effluent would be higher. At a recycle ratio of 2.5, the total nitrogen removal is at its maximum. The relationship between specific nitrification rate and recycle ratio is also discussed. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nitrite accumulation characteristics of high strength ammonia wastewater in an autotrophic nitrifying biofilm reactor

Selective nitrification was carried out to accumulate nitrite from high strength ammonia wastewater in an autotrophic nitrifying biofilm reactor. Nitrification efficiencies and nitrite accumulation characteristics were investigated at various operating conditions such as ammonium load, oxygen supply and free ammonia concentration. The biofilm reactor showed very stable nitrification efficiencies of more than 90% at up to 2 kg NH₄‐N m^?3 d^?1 and the nitrite content was maintained at around 95%. Inhibition by free ammonia on nitrite oxidizers seems to be the major factor for nitrite accumulation. Batch kinetic analyses of ammonium and nitrite oxidation showed that nitrite oxidation activity was selectively inhibited in the presence of free ammonia. However, the activity recovered quickly as the free ammonia concentration decreased below the threshold inhibition concentration. Examination of specific ammonia and nitrite oxidation activities and the most probable number indicated that the number of nitrite‐oxidizing microorganisms in the nitrite‐accumulating system was less than that in the normal nitrification system due to long‐term free ammonia inhibition of the nitrite oxidizers. The reduced population of nitrite oxidizers in the biofilm system was also responsible for the accumulation of nitrite in the biofilm reactor. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of an Integrated System for Pig Slurry Treatment

A system for pig slurry treatment, where anaerobic digestion, nitrification and denitrification have been integrated in a unique process treatment, has been investigated. This configuration allowed both removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and a decrease in nitrogen content. Strategies are reported to bring enough COD to the denitrification system. Results (90% reduction in COD, 99·8% reduction in NH₄⁺-N and 98·8% reduction in NO₃⁻N) show this process could be considered a good alternative to treat these wastes. © 1997 SCI.     

Aerated membrane‐attached biofilm reactor as an effective tool for partial nitrification in pretreatment of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) process

BACKGROUND: A laboratory‐scale membrane aeration bioreactor was employed to treat synthetic ammonium‐rich wastewater to yield an appropriate NH₄⁺/NO₂^? ratio for anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX). The main objectives of this study were to steadily obtain 50% partial nitrification in batch experiments, to evaluate the effects of aeration and to identify the dominant bacterial community of the biofilm for partial nitrification. RESULTS: Some of the ammonium in the synthetic wastewater was partially nitrified. A suitable NH₄⁺/NO₂^? ratio (1:1 to 1:1.3) for the ANAMMOX process was obtained after 24 h. The dissolved oxygen (DO) level in the treated water was very low (below 0.6 mg L^?1). Both the appropriate NH₄⁺/NO₂^? ratio and the low DO level make this bioreactor an ideal pretreatment system for ANAMMOX. In addition, a molecular biotechnology method was applied to prove that the ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria dominated the biofilm. CONCLUSION: This system achieved surprising cost savings in the aeration process compared with traditional aeration systems. The combination of this system with the subsequent ANAMMOX process has great potential as a favorable short‐cut in the treatment of ammonium‐rich wastewater. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of heterotrophic nitrite removal by a sulphide and acetate oxidizing mixed culture originated from an oil reservoir

BACKGROUND: Shortcut biological nitrogen removal (SBNR) has attracted much attention in recent years due to lower aeration and chemical oxygen demand (COD) requirements, shorter residence time and smaller biomass production. In this work an oil reservoir denitrifying culture, with the ability to function under autotrophic and heterotrophic conditions was used for heterotrophic denitritation. Using freely suspended cells, effects of nitrite concentration (10–50 mmol L^?1) and temperature (15–35 °C) on the kinetics of denitritation were investigated and a kinetic model was developed. Potential for enhancement of nitrite removal rate, and impacts of nitrite concentration and loading rate were investigated in a continuous biofilm reactor. RESULTS: Nitrite did not impose any inhibitory effect, even at the highest applied concentration of 50 mmol L^?1. Increase of temperature in the range 15–35 °C enhanced the reduction rate significantly. Fitting the experimental data into the model developed, values of biokinetic coefficients (µ_max?NO2, K_S?NO2, Y_X?NO2, Y_X?Ace?NO2 and Eµ‐_NO2) were determined. In the biofilm reactor increases in nitrite loading rate (through flow rate or feed nitrite concentration) led to a linear increase of nitrite removal rate, with the highest removal rate of 140.6 mmol L^?1 h^?1 achieved with a residence time of 0.19 h. CONCLUSION: The enrichment culture used in this study is not only a superior biocatalyst for simultaneous removal of sulphide, nitrate and BOD, it could also be used effectively in the denitritation step of an SBNR process. The kinetic model developed would certainly have beneficial applications in the design, operation and control of the SBNR process. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Pilot Study on Performance of a Membrane Bio‐Reactor in Treating Fresh Water Sewage and Saline Sewage in Hong Kong

Abstract

The results of two pilot studies of an immersed membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating fresh water and saline sewage in Hong Kong are presented. The objectives were to demonstrate suitability of the MBR technology to the treatment of Hong Kong sewage and its ability to achieve total nitrogen removal effectively. When operated in nitrification/denitrification mode, the MBR was able to achieve 98% BOD removal, 90–93% COD removal and 82–84% total nitrogen removal with a HRT of 6.8 hours and 300% internal flow recirculation. Very low effluent NH₄ ⁺‐N levels were observed throughout the study suggesting complete nitrification. The MBR was able to achieve full denitrification utilizing organic matter in the raw sewage as a carbon source. The nitrogen removal capacity of the MBR was limited by nitrogen loadings rather than the biological activity in the reactor. The results did not indicate any significant differences in treatment performances with fresh water and saline sewage except that a higher frequency of membrane cleaning was required for the latter.     

Batch treatment of saline wastewater by Halanaerobium lacusrosei in an anaerobic packed bed reactor

BACKGROUND: This study considers batch treatment of saline wastewater in an upflow anaerobic packed bed reactor by salt tolerant anaerobic organisms Halanaerobium lacusrosei . RESULTS: The effects of initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration (COD₀ = 1880–9570 mg L^?1), salt concentration ([NaCl] = 30–100 g L^?1) and liquid upflow velocity (V_up = 1.0–8.5 m h^?1) on COD removal from salt (NaCl)‐containing synthetic wastewater were investigated. The results indicated that initial COD concentration significantly affects the effluent COD concentration and removal efficiency. COD removal was around 87% at about COD₀ = 1880 mg L^?1, and efficiency decreased to 43% on increasing COD₀ to 9570 mg L^?1 at 20 g L^?1 salt concentration. COD removal was in the range 50–60% for [NaCl] = 30–60 g L^?1 at COD₀ = 5200 ± .100 mg L^?1. However, removal efficiency dropped to 10% when salt concentration was increased to 100 g L^?1. Increasing liquid upflow velocity from V_up = 1.0 m h^?1 to 8.5 m h^?1 provided a substantial improvement in COD removal. COD concentration decreased from 4343 mg L^?1 to 321 mg L^?1 at V_up = 8.5 m h^?1, resulting in over 92% COD removal at 30 g L^?1 salt‐containing synthetic wastewater. CONCLUSION: The experimental results showed that anaerobic treatment of saline wastewater is possible and could result in efficient COD removal by the utilization of halophilic anaerobic bacteria. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Performance and sludge characteristics of anammox process at moderate and low temperatures

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was used to investigate the performance and sludge characteristics of anammox process at moderate and low temperatures. The initial pH was 7.5 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 3 h. When temperature was 25-35 °C, nitrogen removal rate (NRR) fluctuated from 1.67 to 1.82 kg/m³·d. However, when temperature dropped to 15 °C, NRR suddenly decreased by 0.48 kg/m³·d. Larger activation energy was acquired at lower temperature, and it was difficult to achieve efficient nitrogen removal under low temperature. When temperature declined to 10 °C, ΔNO ₂ ^? -N/ΔNH ₄ ⁺ -N and ΔNO ₃ ^? -N/ΔNH ₄ ⁺ -N reached 1.02 and 0.27, respectively. Inhibition resulting from low temperature on anammox activity was recoverable, and the modified Boltzmann model was appropriate to analyze recovery feature of anammox process. Low temperature not only led to poor nitrogen removal, but also affected sludge size and feature.     

Autotrophic nitrification and denitrification characteristics of an upflow biological aerated filter

Wastewater nitrification was carried out using a laboratory‐scale upflow biological aerated filter (BAF) packed with a polyurethane‐based porous medium. The filtration medium has macro‐pores which provide a greater surface area for the development of biofilms. The macro‐pores have both aerobic and anaerobic zones, depending on the depth of oxygen penetration in the medium. Wastewater ammonium was oxidized at a maximum rate of 1.8 kg NH₄⁺m^?3d^?1 and showed more than 90% nitrification efficiency in the BAF. During the biological nitrification of wastewater, considerable nitrogen loss was observed in the BAF under oxygen‐limited conditions when organic carbons were not provided for denitrification. Most probably, the lost nitrogen was converted to gaseous nitrogen compounds including dinitrogen by autotrophic dentrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Use of various processes for pilot plant treatment of wastewater from a wood‐processing factory

The wastewater from a wood‐processing factory is characterized by a high COD, chlorides and nitrogen content. Various treatment processes were applied to treat this wastewater in pilot‐scale units. By applying one‐stage denitrification–activated sludge biological treatment it was not possible to remove nitrogen. Nitrification was inhibited by wastewater compounds. By applying a second stage of a nitrification biofilter it was possible to have a high degree of nitrification. The denitrification was complete. With biological methods the reduction of COD, and ‐N and ‐N concentrations to acceptable values was not achievable. Physical–Chemical methods as H₂O₂/UV, electrolysis and ozonation were used as post‐treatment of effluents from the biological system. Radical degradation, initiated by the powerful hydroxyl radicals which are generated from H₂O₂ by UV activation, is used for wastewater post‐treatment. The combination of H₂O₂/UV was not suitable for post‐treatment of this wastewater. With electrolysis, ‐N and COD removal can be complete. The total amount of ammonia and organic nitrogen converted to nitrate nitrogen for current density of 1.15 Adm^?2 and energy consumption of 71.6 kWhm^?3 was 0.35 gdm^?3. Further biological denitrification is required for ‐N removal to permitted values. Energy consumption for the elimination of 1 kg COD was 40.4 kWh and 35.8 kWh for current densities of 0.7 Adm^?2 and 1.15 Adm^?2 respectively. The energy required to reach the limit value of COD equal to 150 mgdm^?3 for current density of 1.15 Adm^?2 was 71.6 kWhm^?3. With ozonation, the COD removal can be complete. Further biological nitrification–denitrification is required to remove ‐N and ‐N to permitted values. At pH 7.0, in order to reach the limit value of COD equal to 150 mgdm^?3, specific ozone dose was 6.0 g per g of COD removed and the total amount of ammonia and organic nitrogen converted to nitrate nitrogen was 0.25 gdm^?3. The total equivalent energy required is estimated to be 75.0 kWhm^?3. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry