Towards mainstream anammox: lessons learned from pilot-scale research at WWTP Dokhaven

Maaike Hoekstra*, Stefan P. Geilvoet, Tim L.G. Hendrickx, Charlotte S. van Erp Taalman Kip, Robbert Kleerebezem, Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

70 Citations (Scopus)
302 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the biological feasibility of the Partial Nitritation/Anammox (PN/A) technology to remove nitrogen from municipal mainstream wastewaters. During stable process operations at summer temperatures (23.2 ± 1.3°C), the total nitrogen removal rate was 0.223 ± 0.029 kg N (m3 d)−1 while at winter temperatures (13.4 ± 1.1°C) the total nitrogen removal rate was 0.097 ± 0.016 kg N (m3 d)−1. Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) suppression was successfully achieved at the complete temperature range of municipal mainstream wastewater. Despite the presence of NOB as observed in activity tests, their activity could be successfully suppressed due to a relative low dissolved oxygen concentration. An overcapacity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and anammox activity was always present. Long-term stability is a focus point for future research, especially in relation to the stability of the biological oxygen demand removing step, preceding the PN/A reactor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalEnvironmental Technology (United Kingdom)
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • autotrophic nitrogen removal
  • low temperature
  • Mainstream anammox
  • wastewater treatment

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