Model-based evaluation of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in aerobic granular sludge systems

Insel G., YILMAZ G., Hazi F., Artan N.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11356-023-25252-w
  • Journal Name: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, IBZ Online, ABI/INFORM, Aerospace Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Modeling, Aerobic granular sludge, Enhanced biological phosphorus removal, Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.A lab-scale granular sludge sequencing batch reactor (G-SBR) system was operated using synthetic wastewater. The total nitrogen removal efficiency of 85% was obtained together with the achievement of complete total phosphorus removal with average granule diameter of 400 µm. Dual-step nitrification and denitrification model with fixed biofilm thickness was used for performance analysis. The denitrification mode only contributed to TN removal with 25% which can be calculated with process stoichiometry. The remaining nitrogen removal could be explained by simulating simultaneous nitrification and denitrification which was responsible for 75% denitrification during aerobic period. In addition, low NO3− concentration at the beginning of the fill period provided advantage for securing a prolonged anaerobic period for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The model parameters of boundary layer thickness (zBL = 50 µm) and half-saturation of O2 for nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (KO2,NOB = 0.5 gO2/m3) were tuned to fit NO2 and NO3 profiles in SBR cycle. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].