Pilot-scale experience with biological nutrient removal and biomass yield reduction in a liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed bioreactor

Nabin Chowdhury, George Nakhla, Jesse Zhu, Mohammad Islam

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A pilot-scale liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed (LSCFB) bioreactor was developed at the Adelaide Pollution Control Plant, London, Ontario, Canada, to study its commercial viability for biological nutrient removal. Lava rock particles of 600 μm were used as a biomass carrier media. The LSCFB removed approximately 90% organic, 80% nitrogen, and 70% phosphorus at loading rates of 4.12 kg COD/m3·d, 0.26 kg N/m3·d, and 0.052 kg P/m3·d, and an empty bed contact time of 1.5 hours. Effluent characterized by <1.0 mg NH4-N/L, <5.0 mg NO 3-N/L, <1.0 mg PO4-P/L, <10 mg TN/L, <10 mg SBOD/L, and 10 to 15 mg volatile suspended solids (VSS)/L can easily meet the criteria for nonpotable reuse of treated wastewater. The system removed nutrients without using any chemicals, and the secondary clarifier removed suspended solids removal without chemicals. A significant reduction (approximately 75%) in biomass yield to 0.12 to 0.16 g VSS/g chemical oxygen demand (COD) was observed, primarily because of long biological solids retention time (SRT) of 20 to 39 days and a combination of anoxic and aerobic COD consumption.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)772-781
Number of pages10
JournalWater Environment Research
Volume82
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biofilm
  • Biological phosphorus removal
  • Biomass yield
  • Liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed
  • Nitrification- denitrification

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Ecological Modelling
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

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