Nitrogen removal in activated sludge systems including denitrification in secondary clarifiers

Denitrification in the secondary clarifier can contribute substantially to the nitrogen removal of activated sludge systems. This is illustrated on two treatment plants with different secondary clarifier systems. A model to estimate denitrification capacity and to design activated sludge systems for nitrogen removal is developed and verified with data from two treatment plants. The model includes denitrification in the secondary clarifier, wastewater composition (soluble readily biodegradable COD, particulate degradable COD), oxygen input into the anoxic volume, temperature, and solids retention time (SRT). The influence of aerated grit chambers and primary sedimentation on denitrification is discussed.