Temperature effect on nitrifying bacteria activity in biofilters: activation and free ammonia inhibition

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 121-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Fdz-Polanco ◽  
S. Villaverde ◽  
P. A. García
Keyword(s):  
Plug Flow ◽  
Biomass Concentration ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Free Ammonia ◽  
Nitrifying Bacteria ◽  
Ammonium Concentration ◽  
Nitrite Accumulation ◽  
Specific Rate ◽  
Activation Effect ◽  
Ammonia Inhibition

Nitrifying bacteria activity and concentrations depend on specific free ammonia concentration (ratio NH3/biomass), that is a function of temperature, pH, ammonium concentration and nitrifying biomass concentration. So, temperature is a key parameter in the nitrification process producing two opposite effects: bacteria activation and free ammonia inhibition. These phenomena are studied in an up-flow biological aerated filter (UBAF) settled by a nitrifying biofilm (measured as Volatile Attached Solids, VAS). The plug flow allows to disclosure of both effects, activation and inhibition. For Nitrosomonas bacteria only an activation effect was observed; their activity reaches a maximum at 28-29 °C. For Nitrobacter the free ammonia inhibition prevails against the activation effect for values greater than 1 mg N-NH3/mg VAS allowing nitrite accumulation of 80%; this inhibition threshold value for nitrifying biofilm is obtained measuring the specific rate of utilization of substratum per unit of biomass (μmax/Y) by activity test. The knowledge of this threshold in a biofilm process is fundamental in order to control the nitrite accumulation in nitrifying biofilm reactors.

Nitrite accumulation in submerged biofilters - combined effects

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 371-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Fdz-Polanco ◽  
S. Villaverde ◽  
P. A. Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Relative Activity ◽  
Free Ammonia ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizer ◽  
Ammonium Concentration ◽  
Nitrite Accumulation ◽  
Biological Aerated Filter ◽  
Ammonia Inhibition ◽  
Aerated Filter

The combined effect of temperature, pH and ammonium concentration over the nitrite accumulation phenomena in situations of free ammonia inhibition, their effect over the ammonia and nitrite oxidizer microorganiisms influence over the nitrification, have been studied in an Up-flow Biological Aerated Filter (UBAF). The free ammonia inhibition effect highly depends on the values of pH, temperature and ammonium concentration. For the same specific free ammonia concentration different values of temperature, pH and ammonium concentration bring about different nitrite accumulations. In conditions of no free ammonia inhibition and low values of temperature and pH, high ammonium concentrations bring about a higher relative activity of ammonia oxidizer microorganisms of the filter increases the nitratation efficiency in zones close to the outlet and will favour the nitrite accumulation in situations of free ammonia inhibition.

Achieving nitrogen removal via nitrite pathway from urban landfill leachate using the synergetic inhibition of free ammonia and free nitrous acid on nitrifying bacteria activity

2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 2035-2041 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Sun ◽  
Y. Bai ◽  
Y. Z. Peng ◽  
H. G. Xie ◽  
X. N. Shi
Keyword(s):  
Landfill Leachate ◽  
Biological System ◽  
Nitrous Acid ◽  
Free Ammonia ◽  
Nitrifying Bacteria ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Nitrite Accumulation ◽  
Fish Analysis ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria ◽  
Free Nitrous Acid

In this study, a biological system consisting of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and anoxic–oxic (A/O) reactor was established for the advanced treatment of high ammonium urban landfill leachate. The inhibitory effect of free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA) on the nitrifying bacterial activity was used to achieve stable nitritation in the A/O reactor. The results demonstrated that the biological system achieved chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and NH4+-N removal efficiencies of 95.3, 84.6 and 99.2%, respectively at a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 3:1. Simultaneous denitritation and methanogenesis in the UASB could improve the removal of COD and TN. Nitritation with above 90% nitrite accumulation was successfully achieved in the A/O reactor by synergetic inhibition of FA and FNA on the activity of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) was dominant and was considered to be responsible for the satisfactory nitritation performance.

Free Ammonia Inhibition of Nitrification in River Sediments Leading to Nitrite Accumulation

1997 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1049-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Smith ◽  
L. C. Burns ◽  
R. M. Doyle ◽  
S. D. Lennox ◽  
B. H. L. Kelso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Sediments ◽  
Free Ammonia ◽  
Nitrite Accumulation ◽  
Ammonia Inhibition ◽  
Inhibition Of Nitrification

Preliminary assessment of a shortcut in nitrogen removal from wastewater

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 600-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Turk ◽  
D. S. Mavinic
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Free Ammonia ◽  
Nitrite Reduction ◽  
Nitrification Rate ◽  
Nitrite Accumulation ◽  
Nitrite Level ◽  
In Series ◽  
System 2

The objective of this long-term research project was to demonstrate the feasibility of removing nitrogen from highly nitrogenous wastewater by (a) blocking the nitrification process at the intermediary nitrite level through the action of free ammonia and (b) subsequently reducing the nitrite to nitrogen gas. The success of such a process could lead to substantial reductions in nitrogen removal costs.Two identical bench-scale activated sludge systems were operated for 147 days, in the initial phase. Each system was composed of four equal-sized, completely mixed cells in series. The free ammonia concentration was highest in the first cell of each system. It averaged 2 mg NH3-N/L in the first system and 5 mg NH3-N/L in the second. Nitrite buildup, in excess of 80% of the oxidized nitrogen present, was induced and sustained for around 2 months in all cells of the second system, after which time a steady decline occurred. Nitrite buildup could not be sustained in the first system. Average chemical oxygen demand (COD) for nitrite reduction was 40% lower than that for nitrate reduction. The nitrification rate for the ammonia oxidizers was similar for both systems. The presence of up to 100 mg [Formula: see text] nitrite in system 2 caused no discernible inhibition. Subsequent runs proved that nitrite accumulation could not be sustained indefinitely, owing to acclimation to free ammonia levels as high as 22 mg NH3-N/L. Periodic resting and flushing may be required; further research is being pursued along these lines. Key words: biological treatment, denitrification, nitrification, nitrite, nitrogen removal, nitrogenous wastewater.

Modelling of biological nitrogen removal during treatment of piggery wastewater

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Béline ◽  
H. Boursier ◽  
F. Guiziou ◽  
E. Paul
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Free Ammonia ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Nitrification Rate ◽  
Nitrite Accumulation ◽  
Piggery Wastewater ◽  
Pilot Scale Reactor

During this study, a mathematical model simulating piggery wastewater treatment was developed, with the objective of process optimisation. To achieve this, the effect of temperature and free ammonia concentration on the nitrification rate were experimentally studied using respirometry. The maximum growth rates obtained were higher for ammonium-oxidising biomass than for nitrite-oxidising biomass for the temperatures above 20 °C; values at 35 °C were equal to 1.9 and 1.35 day−1, respectively. No inhibition of nitrification was observed for free ammonia concentrations up to 50 mgN/L. Using these data with others experimental data obtained from a pilot-scale reactor to treat piggery wastewater, a model based on a modified version of the ASM1 was developed and calibrated. In order to model the nitrite accumulation observed, the ASM1 model was extended with a two-step nitrification and denitrification including nitrite as intermediate. Finally, the produced model called PiWaT1 demonstrated a good fit with the experimental data. In addition to the temperature, oxygen concentration was identified as an important factor influencing the nitrite accumulation during nitrification. Even if some improvements of the model are still necessary, this model can already be used for process improvement.

Anaerobic digestion of slaughterhouse waste with UF-membrane separation and recycling of permeate after free ammonia stripping

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 531-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Siegrist ◽  
W. Hunziker ◽  
H. Hofer
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Membrane Separation ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Free Ammonia ◽  
Ammonium Concentration ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Digested Sludge ◽  
Ammonia Stripping

Anaerobic digestion can adapt to free ammonia to a certain extent. During the anaerobic digestion of slaughterhouse waste, however, an ammonia concentration of up to 15 g N l−1 can be reached in the sludge liquid and this will even inhibit adapted sludge. To lower this concentration, a fraction of the digester liquid must therefore be continuously separated from the digested sludge and the free ammonia stripped before the liquid is recycled to the digester. A mesophilic laboratory digester was successfully operated with an ammonium concentration of 4–5 g l−1 and a pH of 8.0–8.4. After free ammonia stripping, the excess liquid was treated in a laboratory SBR for nitrogen and phosphorus removal before being added to the receiving water. The effluent had no toxic effect on daphnia and algae.

Nitrification of high strength ammonia wastewater and nitrite accumulation characteristics

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.J. Kim ◽  
J.S. Chang ◽  
D.I. Lee ◽  
D.W. Han ◽  
I.K. Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Oxygen Deficiency ◽  
Biofilm Reactor ◽  
Free Ammonia ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Nitrite Accumulation ◽  
Ammonium Oxidation ◽  
Nitrite Oxidation ◽  
Ammonia Inhibition ◽  
Nitrite Oxidizers

Biological nitrogen removal via the nitrite pathway in wastewater treatment is very important in saving the cost of aeration and as an electron donor for denitrification. Wastewater nitrification and nitrite accumulation were carried out in a biofilm airlift reactor with autotrophic nitrifying biofilm. The biofilm reactor showed almost complete nitrification and most of the oxidized ammonium was present as nitrite at the ammonium load of 1.5 to 3.5 kg N/m3·d. Nitrite accumulation was stably achieved by the selective inhibition of nitrite oxidizers with free ammonia and dissolved oxygen limitation. Stable 100% conversion to nitrite could also be achieved even under the absence of free ammonia inhibition on nitrite oxidizers. Batch ammonium oxidation and nitrite oxidation with nitrite accumulating nitrifying biofilm showed that nitrite oxidation was completely inhibited when free ammonia is higher than 0.2 mg N/L. However, nitrite oxidation activity was recovered as soon as the free ammonia concentration was below the threshold level when dissolved oxygen concentration was not the limiting factor. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of cryosectioned nitrite accumulating nitrifying biofilm showed that the β-subclass of Proteobacteria, where ammonia oxidizers belong, was distributed outside the biofilm whereas the α-subclass of Proteobacteria, where nitrite oxidizers belong, was found mainly in the inner part of the biofilm. It is likely that dissolved oxygen deficiency or limitation in the inner part of the nitrifying biofilm, where nitrite oxidizers exist, is responsible for the complete shut down of the nitrite oxidizers activity under the absence of free ammonia inhibition.

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