Fe(II) enhances simultaneous phosphorus removal and denitrification in heterotrophic denitrification by chemical precipitation and stimulating denitrifiers activity.

Using Fe(II) salt as the precipitant in heterotrophic denitrification achieves improved TP removal, and enhancement in denitrification was often observed. This study aimed to obtain a better understanding of Fe(II)-enhanced denitrification with sufficient carbon source supply. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted in SBRs with or without Fe(II) addition. Remarkably improved TP removal was experienced. TP removal efficiency in Fe(II) adding reactor was 85.8 ± 3.4%; whereas, that in the reactor without Fe(II) addition was 31.1 ± 2.8%. Besides improved TP removal, better TN removal efficiency (94.1 ± 1.1%) were recorded when Fe(II) was added, and that in the reactor without Fe(II) addition was 89 ± 0.8%. The specific denitrification rate were observed increase by 12.6% when Fe(II) was added. Further microbial analyses revealed increases in the abundances of typical denitrifiers (i.e. Niastella, Opitutus, Dechloromonas, Ignavibacterium, Anaeromyxobacter, Pedosphaera, and Myxococcus). Their associated denitrifying genes, narG, nirS, norB, and nosZ, were observed had 14.2%, 19.4%, 21.6%, and 9.9% elevation, respectively. Such enhancement in denitrification shall not be due to nitrate-dependent ferrous oxidation, which prevails in organic-deficient environments. In an environment with a continuous supply of Fe(II) and plenty of carbon sources, a cycle of denitrifying enzyme activity enhancement in the presence of Fe(II) facilitating nitrogen substrate utilization, stimulating denitrifier metabolism and growth, elevating denitrifying genes abundance, and increasing denitrifying enzymes expression were thought to be responsible for the Fe(II)-enhanced heterotrophic denitrification. Fe(II) salt is often a less expensive precipitant and has recently become attractive for TP removal in wastewater. The findings of this study solidify previous observation of enhancement of both TP and TN removal by adding Fe(II) in denitrification, and would be helpful for developing cost-effective pollutant removal processes.

A modified BAF system configuring synergistic denitrification and chemical phosphorus precipitation: Examination on pollutants removal and clogging development.

The performance of a BAF system configuring simultaneous chemical phosphorus precipitation in the pre-denitrification stage was examined using a continuously operated setup to treat real domestic wastewater. The effects of using no chemical, dosing sole Fe(2+), and dosing combined Fe(2+), PAM, and NaHCO3 in the pre-denitrification tank were assessed by monitoring COD, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal and hydraulic headloss development in the BAF column. Though dosing sole Fe(2+) significantly enhanced phosphorus removal, it would consume alkalinity through hydrolysis and form smaller-sized sludge flocs in the pre-denitrification tank, and hence resulted in affected NH4(+)-N, insoluble COD, and SS removal in the BAF. Dosing combined Fe(2+), PAM, and NaHCO3 can enhance sludge flocculation to form larger flocs and compensate alkalinity consumption. It exhibited sound performance on COD, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal, and led to less frequent BAF backwashing by slowing clogging development in the BAF filter layer.

Enhanced synergistic denitrification and chemical precipitation in a modified BAF process by using Fe2+.

A series of laboratory-scale experiments for examining the feasibility and suitability of using Fe(2+) as the precipitant dosed in the pre-denitrification stage of a modified BAF process employing simultaneous chemical precipitation of TSS and phosphorus were carried out. The effects of dosing Fe(2+) on effluent quality and sludge characteristics of the pre-denitrification stage were assessed with comparing to the cases of no additional chemical dosing and dosing Fe(3+). Results obtained demonstrated a sound performance of synergistic denitrification and chemical precipitation in pre-denitrification of the modified BAF process when dosing Fe salts, which showed enhanced by using Fe(2+) as the dosed precipitant in increasing the denitrification loading rate, exhibiting a better controlling of the residual phosphorus in pre-denitrification effluent, and improving sludge settleability. Dosing Fe salt showed no adverse impact in removing COD, but resulted in a relatively higher SS content in the pre-denitrification effluent.