Nitrogen removal and intentional nitrous oxide production from reject water in a coupled nitritation/nitrous denitritation system under real feed-stream conditions. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weißbach, Max; Thiel, Paul; Drewes, Jörg E.; Koch, Konrad
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 255(2018)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Nitrogen removal -- Digester reject water -- Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation -- Nitrous oxide -- Energy recovery; 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.2018.01.080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: First application of real wastewater feed-streams in the CANDO process. Long-term investigation of process performance and dynamics. Comparison of different N2 O harvesting strategies. Mass-balance for the intended application concept on WWTPs. Abstract: A Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO) was performed over five months to investigate the performance and dynamics of nitrogen elimination and nitrous oxide production from digester reject water under real feed-stream conditions. A 93% conversion of ammonium to nitrite could be maintained for adapted seed sludge in the first stage (nitritation). The second stage (nitrous denitritation), inoculated with conventional activated sludge, achieved a conversion of 70% of nitrite to nitrous oxide after only 12 cycles of operation. The development of an alternative feeding strategy and the addition of a coagulant (FeCl3 ) facilitated stable operation and process intensification. Under steady-state conditions, nitrite was reliably eliminated and different nitrous oxide harvesting strategies were assessed. Applying continuous removal increased N2 O yields by 16% compared to the application of a dedicated stripping phase. These results demonstrate the feasible application of the CANDO process for nitrogen removal and energy recovery from ammonia rich wastewater.