Enhanced biological phosphorus removal in the retrofitting from an anoxic selector to an anaerobic selector in a full-scale activated sludge process in Singapore

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Cao ◽  
C. M. Ang ◽  
K. C. Chua ◽  
F. W. Woo ◽  
H. Chi ◽  
...  

This paper presents the investigation results of retrofitting an anoxic selector to an anaerobic selector through stepwise reduction of air supply in a full-scale activated sludge process with a focus on enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The process experienced gradual shift from a Ludzack-Ettinger (LE) to an anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2O) process and subsequently, an anaerobic-oxic (A/O) process. The major findings are: (i) the average influent-based PO43−-P release in the anaerobic selector compartment was 16.3 mg P l−1 and that in the secondary clarifier was 1.7 mg P l−1. 75% of the SCOD and 93% of the acetic acid in the primary effluent were taken up in the anaerobic selector compartment, respectively; (ii) PO43−-P uptake contributed by both aerobic and denitrifying phosphorus accumulating organisms (DPAOs) occurred mainly in the first and second aerobic lanes together with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) while there was not much contribution from the last aerobic lane; (iii) The average PO43−-P concentration of the final effluent was 2.4 mg P l−1 corresponding to a removal efficiency of 85%; (iv) the SVI was satisfactory after retrofitting; and (v) the increase of NH4+-N in the final effluent from the commencement to the completion of the retrofitting resulted in an approximate 40–50% reduction in oxygen demand and a significant aeration energy saving was achieved.

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 741-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeshi Cao ◽  
Bee Hong Kwok ◽  
Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht ◽  
Glen T. Daigger ◽  
Hui Yi Png ◽  
...  

Mainstream partial nitritation and Anammox (PN/A) has been observed and studied in the step-feed activated sludge process at the Changi water reclamation plant (WRP), which is the largest WRP (800,000 m3/d) in Singapore. This paper presents the study results for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) co-existing with PN/A in the activated sludge process. Both the in-situ EBPR efficiency and ex-situ activities of phosphorus release and uptake were high. The phosphorus accumulating organisms were dominant, with little presence of glycogen accumulating organisms in the activated sludge. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) mass balance illustrated that the carbon usage for EBPR was the same as that for heterotrophic denitrification, owing to autotrophic PN/A conversions. This much lower carbon demand for nitrogen removal, compared to conventional biological nitrogen removal, made effective EBPR possible. This paper demonstrated for the first time the effective EBPR co-existence with PN/A in the mainstream in a large full-scale activated sludge process, and the feasibility to accommodate EBPR into the mainstream PN/A process. It also shows EBPR can work under warm climates.


2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 237-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.S. Cao ◽  
C.M. Ang ◽  
K.S. Raajeevan ◽  
A.K. Kiran ◽  
K.C. Lai ◽  
...  

This paper analyses the performance of the anaerobic selector (A/O process) in a full-scale activated sludge process receiving mostly industrial sewage discharge (>60%) in Singapore. In addition to the sludge settleability, enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) was studied. The sludge volume index (SVI) reduced from 200 to 80 ml g−1 and foaming was suppressed significantly, indicating the effectiveness of the anaerobic selector in improving sludge settleability. The phosphorus removal efficiency was 66%, and 7.5 mg HAc-COD was consumed per mg PO3−4-P removed. In the anaerobic compartment, 31% of the SCOD and 73% of the acetic acid in the settled sewage were removed with PO3−4-P release of 14.1 mg PO3−4-P l −1. The linear correlation between PO3−4-P release in the anaerobic compartment and PO3−4-P uptake in the aerobic compartment indicates that there is about 0.8 mg PO3−4-P release in the anaerobic compartment per mg PO3−4-P uptake in the aerobic compartment. The fates of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and its short chain acids (SCAs) in the process were studied and discussed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 153-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wedi ◽  
P. A. Wilderer

Most of the fundamental processes responsible for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) were obtained through laboratory tests under defined conditions with pure or enriched cultures. Acinetobacter sp. was identified as the most important group of bacteria responsible for bio-P removal. Full scale data showed, however, that laboratory results do not match full scale results well enough. There is a lack of data on the effects of sub-optimal process conditions such as inadequate availability of volatile fatty acids (VFA), high nitrate recycle, storm water inflow or low temperatures. In this paper the results of full scale experiments on P-release are presented and compared with theoretical values. Measurements at a full scale Phoredox-system showed a surprisingly low P-release in the anaerobic reactor. Only 4 to 10% of the phosphorus in the activated sludge was released in the bulk liquid. With laboratory batch-tests, a maximum of 20% of the P in the sludge could be released. It is assumed that under the prevailing process conditions either the fraction of Acinetobacter sp. was very small, or bacteria other than Acinetobacter sp. were responsible for the P-removal, or most of the phosphorus was bound chemically but mediated by biological processes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 1612-1619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paraschos Melidis ◽  
Anastasios G. Kapagiannidis ◽  
Spyridon Ntougias ◽  
Konstantina Davididou ◽  
Alexander Aivasidis

A novel enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) system, which combined the intermittent feeding design with an anaerobic selector, was examined using on-line oxidation reduction potential (ORP), nitrate and ammonium probes. Two experimental periods were investigated: the aerobic and anoxic phases were set at 40 and 20 minutes respectively for period I, and set at 30 and 30 minutes for period II. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and P removal were measured as high as 87%, 96% and 93% respectively, while total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and NH4+ removal averaged 85% and 91%. Two specific denitrification rates (SDNRs), which corresponded to the consumption of the readily biodegradable and slowly biodegradable COD, were determined. SDNR-1 and SDNR-2 during period I were 0.235 and 0.059 g N g−1 volatile suspended solids (VSS) d−1 respectively, while the respective rates during period II were 0.105 and 0.042 g N g−1 VSS d−1. The specific nitrate formation and ammonium oxidizing rates were 0.076 and 0.064 g N g−1 VSS d−1 for period I and 0.065 and 0.081 g N g−1 VSS d−1 for period II respectively. The specific P release rates were 2.79 and 4.02 mg P g−1 VSS h−1 during period I and II, while the respective anoxic/aerobic uptake rates were 0.42 and 0.55 mg P g−1 VSS h−1. This is the first report on an EBPR scheme using the intermittent feeding strategy.


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