Evaluating operation strategies and process stability of a single stage nitritation-anammox SBR by use of the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP)

Abstract

A single stage nitritation-anammox SBR was operated for 300 days to investigate the impact of cycle operation strategies on process performance and the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) as process monitoring parameter. Different combinations of feeding (interval, continuous, one-time) and aeration (interval, continuous) strategies were tested revealing that interval feeding and interval aeration was the most suitable case in terms of process performance (ammonium removal, nitrate production and pH stability) and use of the ORP value as indicator parameter. Further investigations into the use of the ORP value showed clear correlations of the ORP slope with the air flow rate and the maximum ORP peak with the ammonium loading under varying operation conditions. Depletion of the main substrates (ammonium and oxygen) was also detectable fastest following the ORP value proofing its worth for process control.