Study on enhanced denitrification using particulate organic matter in membrane bioreactor by mechanism modeling.

Particulate organic matter (POM) in wastewater is a potential denitrification carbon source, while the optimal operational mode using denitrification mechanism with POM is still unclear in wastewater treatment plants. In this work, we investigated the denitrification rates (DNRs) in a full-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) coupled with two-stage pre-anoxic (pre-AN), and then evaluated the POM denitrification efficiency using mechanism modeling. The results indicate that POM related fraction accounted for the majority of the obtained specific DNR of 1.39±0.46mgNg(-1) MLVSS h(-1) in the second pre-AN without available soluble carbon source. The modeling approaches with calibration and validation procedures estimated a high residual POM concentration of 0.17g COD g(-1) MLVSS in the activated sludge, which provided specific DNR of 1.14mgNg(-1) MLVSS h(-1). High POM retention time in the reactor was the result of high solid retention time used in the MBR. In particular, post-AN of high biomass concentration could provide the highest POM denitrification efficiency in MBR. The MBR process combined with additional sludge reduction technology could further enhance denitrification by POM.

Use of low frequency and density ultrasound to stimulate partial nitrification and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification.

Low frequency and density ultrasound has attracted considerable attention in enhancing wastewater treatment performance, particularly in the removal of nitrogen. In the present study, two sequencing batch reactors were operated to confirm the effects of ultrasound at the frequency of 40 kHz and density of 0.027 W/mL on partial nitrification and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND). At the optimal irradiation time of 2.0 h, the obtained nitrite accumulation ratio and SND efficiency at full aerobic were 73.9% and 72.8%, respectively. Nitrite accumulation was the result of increased NH4(+)-N removal and improved ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) activity with simultaneous inhibition of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) activity. Ultrasonic treatment could provide suitable conditions in temperature and pH for AOB growth, and destroy the NOB community structure. Moreover, organic matters were released and offered an additional carbon source for denitrification apart from the negative effects on sludge properties.

[Kinetics model for batch culture of white rot fungus].

In order to understand ligninolytic enzymes production process during culture of white rot fungus, accordingly to direct the design of fermentation process, a kinetics model was built for the batch culture of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The parameters in the model were calibrated based on the experimental data from free and immobilized culture separately. The difference between each variable's values calculated based on kinetics model and experimental data is within 15%. Comparing parameters for the free and the immobilized culture, it is found that maximum biomass concentrations are both 1.78 g/L; growth rate ratio of immobilized culture (0.6683 d(-1)) is larger than that of free culture (0.5144 d(-1)); very little glucose is consumed for biomass growth in free culture while in immobilized culture much glucose is used and ammonium nitrogen is consumed at a greater rate. Ligninolytic enzymes production process is non-growth related; fungal pellets can produce MnP (231 U/L) in free culture with a production rate of 115.8 U x (g x d)(-1) before peak and 26.1 U x (g x d)(-1) after peak, thus fed-batch is a possible mode to improve MnP production and fermentation efficiency. MnP (410 U/L) and LiP (721 U/L) can be produced in immobilized culture, but MnP and LiP production rate decrease from 80.1 U x (g x d)(-1) and 248.9 U x (g x d)(-1) to 6.04 U x (g x d)(-1) and 0 U x (g x d)(-1), respectively, indicating a proper feed moment is before the enzymes peak during fed-batch culture.