Performance evaluation and model-based optimization of the mainstream deammonification in an integrated fixed-film activated sludge reactor

Mohamad-Javad Mehrani; Mohammad Azari; Burkhard Teichgräber; Peter Jagemann; Jens Schoth; Martin Denecke; Jacek Mąkinia

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126942

Performance evaluation and model-based optimization of the mainstream deammonification in an integrated fixed-film activated sludge reactor

Bioresour Technol. 2022 May:351:126942. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126942. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Authors

Mohamad-Javad Mehrani¹, Mohammad Azari², Burkhard Teichgräber³, Peter Jagemann³, Jens Schoth³, Martin Denecke⁴, Jacek Mąkinia⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urban Water- and Waste Management, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 15, 45141, Essen, Germany; Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland.
² Department of Aquatic Environmental Engineering, Institute for Water and River Basin Management, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Gotthard-Franz-Str. 3, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany. Electronic address: mohammad.azari@kit.edu.
³ EMSCHERGENOSSENSCHAFT and LIPPEVERBAND, Kronprinzenstrasse 24, 45128, Essen, Germany.
⁴ Department of Urban Water- and Waste Management, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 15, 45141, Essen, Germany.
⁵ Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland.

PMID: 35257883
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126942

Abstract

This study aimed to model and optimize mainstream deammonification in an integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) pilot plant under natural seasonal temperature variations. The effect of gradually decreasing temperature on the performance was evaluated during a winter season and a transition period to summer conditions, and the correlation of the performance parameters was investigated using principal component analysis (PCA). The optimization of intermittent aeration in the long-term (30 days) dynamic conditions with on/off ratio and dissolved oxygen (DO) set-point control was used to maximize the N-removal rate (NRR) and N-removal efficiency (NRE). Optimization results (DO set-point of 0.2-0.25 mgO₂/L, and on/off ratio of 0.05) increased the NRE and NRR of total inorganic N (daily average) from 30% to > 50% and 15 gN/m³d to 25 gN/m³d, respectively. This novel long-term optimization strategy is a powerful tool for enhancing the efficiency in mainstream deammonification.

Keywords: Anammox; IFAS; Mainstream deammonification; Optimization; Simulation.

MeSH terms

Ammonium Compounds*
Bioreactors
Nitrogen
Oxidation-Reduction
Oxygen
Sewage*
Wastewater

Substances

Ammonium Compounds
Sewage
Waste Water
Nitrogen
Oxygen