Process Control of an Alternating Aerobic‐Anoxic Sequencing Batch Reactor for Nitrogen Removal via Nitrite

Nitrogen removal via nitrite is a novel technology and is becoming popular for engineering applications since it results in a saving of the aeration energy required for nitritation and external carbon sources for denitritation. An alternating aerobic‐anoxic (AAA) operational pattern was applied in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process to improve the nitrogen removal efficiency and achieve partial nitrification via nitrite from industrial wastewater with influent alkalinity deficiencies. The results showed that the online monitoring of the pH‐time variations during nitrification could indicate if the alkalinity was sufficient and when the ammonia nitrogen was completely oxidized. Under conditions of deficient influent alkalinity, the AAA process reduced the external alkalinity and the carbon sources addition and improved the effluent quality with ammonia nitrogen concentration below the detection limits. Half of the alkalinity previously consumed during aerobic nitrification could be recovered during the subsequent anoxic denitrification period. If the cycles of alternating aerobic/anoxic were repeated more than twice, the first nitrification cycle was stopped when the pH decreased by 0.4–0.5. The middle nitrification was terminated when the pH decreased by 0.8–1.0, and the final nitrification duration was controlled by the dissolved oxygen (DO) breakpoint and ammonia valley on the pH profile. Each anoxic time‐scale for denitrification was determined by the nitrate knee on the oxidation‐reduction potential (ORP) profile and the nitrate apex on the pH profiles. In comparison to the conventional SBR process, the AAA process with a real‐time control strategy resulted in an improved nitrogen removal efficiency of greater than 97 % under conditions of deficient influent alkalinity. Moreover, nitrogen removal via nitrite was achieved with a nitrite accumulation rate above 95 %.