The effect of sludge retention time (SRT) on the Nitrifier typical kinetics at ambient temperature under the low ammonia density

Sludge retention time (SRT) regulation is one of the essential management techniques for refined control of the main-sidestream treatment process under the low ammonia density. It is indispensable to understand the effect of SRTs changes on the Nitrifier kinetics to obtain the functional separation of the Nitrifier and the refined control of the nitrification process. In this study, Nitrifier was cultured with conditions of 35 ± 0.5 °C, pH 7.5 ± 0.2, DO 5.0 ± 0.5 mg-O/L, and SRTs was controlled for 40 d, 20 d, 10 d, and 5 d. The net growth rate (), decay rate (), specific growth rate (), the yield of the Nitrifier (), temperature parameter (), and inhibition coefficient () have been measured and extended with the SRT decreases. Instead, the half-saturation coefficient () decreased. In addition, the limited value of pH inhibition occurs (), and the pH of keeping 5% maximum reaction rate () was in a relatively stable state. The trade of kinetics may be induced by the species structure of Nitrifier changed. The Nitrosomonas proportion was increased, and the Nitrospira used to be contrary with the SRT decreasing. It is a match for the functional separation of Nitrifier when SRTs was 20 d at ambient temperature under the low ammonia density. The kinetics of ammonia-oxidizing organism (AOO) and nitrite-oxidizing organism (NOO) in Nitrifier under different SRT conditions should be measured respectively to the refined control of the partial nitrification process in the future study. HIGHLIGHT The Nitrifier typical kinetics used to be affected notably by way of SRTs changes. The species structure of the Nitrifier was recognized beneath distinctive SRTs. The change of Nitrifier kinetics with SRTs used to be estimated by the species structure changes.