Nitrogen removal performance in pilot-scale solid-phase denitrification systems using novel biodegradable blends for treatment of waste water treatment plants effluent

Zhongchen Yang; Haimeng Sun; Qi Zhou; Liu Zhao; Weizhong Wu

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122994

Nitrogen removal performance in pilot-scale solid-phase denitrification systems using novel biodegradable blends for treatment of waste water treatment plants effluent

Bioresour Technol. 2020 Jun:305:122994. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122994. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Authors

Zhongchen Yang¹, Haimeng Sun¹, Qi Zhou¹, Liu Zhao¹, Weizhong Wu²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China.
² Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China. Electronic address: wzwu@pku.edu.cn.

PMID: 32105842
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122994

Abstract

In this study, three pilot-scale solid-phase denitrification (SPD) systems filled with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hyroxyvelate (PHBV), PHBV-Rice hulls (PHBV-RH) and PHBV-Sawdust (PHBV-S) were operated to treat effluent of waste water treatment pangts (WWTPs). The fast start-up and intensified nitrogen removal performance were obtained in PHBV-RH and PHBV-S systems. Besides, the optimal total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency was obtained in PHBV-S system (91.65 ± 4.12%) with less ammonia accumulation and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release. The significant enrichment of amx 16S rRNA and nirS genes in PHBV-RH and PHBV-S systems indicated the possible coexistence of anammox and denitrification. Miseq sequencing analysis exhibited more complex community diversity, more abundant denitrifying and fermenting bacteria in PHBV-RH and PHBV-S systems. The co-existence of denitrification and anammox might contribute to better control of nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon in PHBV-S system. The outcomes provide an economical and eco-friendly alternative to improve nitrogen removal of WWTPs effluent.

Keywords: Anammox; Biodegradable blends; Microbial community; Nitrogen removal performance; Solid-phase denitrification.