Effect of Influent COD on Biological Ammonia Removal Efficiency

Biological Ammonia removal (nitrification), the oxidation of ammonia to nitrate catalyzed by bacteria, is a key part of global nitrogen cycling. In the first step of nitrification, chemolithoautotrophic ammonia oxidizer transform ammonia to nitrite, this subsequently oxidized to nitrate by nitrite oxidizing bacteria. This process can be affected by several factors. In this study the effect of influent COD on biological ammonia removal in a bench-scale biological reactor was investigated. Experiments were carried out using synthetic wastewater. The initial ammonium concentration was 25mgNH4 +-N L-1. The effect of COD between 247.55±1.8 and 601.08±3.24mgL-1 on biological ammonia removal was investigated by varying the COD loading supplied to reactor. From the results obtained in this study it could be concluded in the range of 247.55±1.8 to 351.35±2.05mgL-1, there is a direct relationship between amount of COD and ammonia removal. However more than 351.35±2.05 up to 601.08±3.24mgL-1 were found an indirect relationship between them.

Authors:

• S. H. Mirhossaini
• H. Godini
• A. Jafari

Keywords:

• Ammonia biological removal
• Nitrification
• InfluentCOD.

References:

[1] S.W. Effler, Brooks C.M., Auer M.T., Doerr S.M., "Free ammonia and
toxicity criteria in a polluted urban lake", J Water Pollut Control Fed,
1990; 62:771-9.
[2] S.S Cheng., W.C Chen., "Organic carbon supplement influencing
performance of biological nitritification in a fluidized bed reactor",
Water Sci Technol, 1994;30(11):131-42.
[3] Van, P. Arts, B.J. Wesselink., L.A. Robertson, J.G. Kuenen,
"Competition between heterotrophic and autotrophic nitrifiers for
ammonia in chemostat cultures", FEMS Microbiol Ecol, 1993;102:109-
18.
[4] K. Hanaki, C. Wantawin, S. Ohgaki, "Effects of the activity of
heterotrophs on nitrification in a suspended-growth reactor", Water Res.,
1990; 24:289-96.
[5] H.D. Stensel, J.L. Barnard, "Principles of biological nutrient removal In:
Randall CW, Barnard JL, Stensel, HD, editors. Design and retrofit of
wastewater treatment plants for biological nutrient removal", vol. 5,
Technomic Publishing Company, Inc.; 1992. p. 25-84.
[6] S.A. McClintock, C.W. Randall, V.M. Pattarkine, "Effects of
temperature and mean cell residence time on biological nutrient removal
processes", Water Environ Res., 1993;65:110-8.
[7] J. Carrera, T. Vicent, J. Lafuente, "Effect of influent COD/N ratio on
biological nitrogen removal (BNR) from high-strength ammonium
industrial wastewater", Process Biochemistry, 2004.
[8] F. Fdz-Polanco, E. Méndez, M.A. Urue├▒a, S. Villaverde, P.A Garc'├¢a.,
"Spatial distribution of heterotrophs and nitrifiers in a submerged
biofilter for nitrification", Water Res., 2000;34:4081-9.
[9] R.Y. Surampalli, O.K. Scheible, S.K. Banerji, "Nitrification in singlestage
trickling filters", Environ Prog., 1995;14:164-71.
[10] E. Gonenç, P. Harremoes, "Nitrification in rotating disc systems. Part II.
Criteria for simultaneous mineralization and nitrification", Water Res.,
1990; 24:499-505.
[11] D.L. Cadavid, M. Zaiat, E. Foresti, "Performance of horizontal-flow
anaerobic immobilized sludge (HAIS) reactor treating synthetic substrate
subjected to decreasing COD to sulfate rations", Water Science and
Technology, 1999; 39(10-11).
[12] APHA, "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater", 19th ed., Washington (DC, USA): American Public Health
Association; 1995.
[13] WHO, "GEMS/Water operational guide", Prepared under the joint
sponsorship of the UNEP, WHO, UNESCO, WMO, 1987.
[14] A. Krummel, H. Harms, "Effect of organic matter on growth and cell
yield of ammonia oxidizing bacteria", Arch. Microbial, 1982; 133.
[15] EPA, "Process Design Manual for Nitrogen Control", US EPA Office
Tech. Transfer, Washington, DC, 1975.