Long-term performance evaluation of down-flow hanging sponge reactor regarding nitrification in a full-scale experiment in India. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Onodera, Takashi; Okubo, Tsutomu; Uemura, Shigeki; Yamaguchi, Takashi; Ohashi, Akiyoshi; Harada, Hideki
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 204(2016)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 184
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Developing countries -- Down-flow hanging sponge -- Full-scale experiment -- Municipal sewage -- Nitrification; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.01.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: First full-scale DHS reactor was operated at 1.5-h HRT for over 1800 days in India. Removal efficiency of the DHS reactor was 79% for NH4 -N and 65% for TN. The DHS exhibited high DO, sludge concentration, and nitrification activity. A full-scale DHS is practically applicable to developing countries. Abstract: The first full-scale down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor applied to post-treatment of effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for the treatment of municipal sewage was evaluated, with emphasis on nitrification. The full-scale DHS reactor was successfully operated at a hydraulic retention time of 1.5 h for over 1800 days in India. The DHS reactor produced effluent with 6 mg L −1 ammonium nitrogen, corresponding to 79% removal efficiency. The total nitrogen removal by the DHS reactor was 65%. The high process performance of the DHS reactor was supported by its distinctive characteristics of (1) high dissolved oxygen of 5.4 mg L −1 in the DHS effluent without forced ventilation, (2) dense retained sludge in the range of 23–46 gVSS Lsponge −1, and (3) adequate sludge activity of 52 mgN gVSS −1 day −1 for nitrification. The full-scale experiment has proven that the DHS reactor has practical applicability to developing countries.