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Optimization of free ammonia concentration for nitrite accumulation in shortcut biological nitrogen removal process

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Abstract

A shortcut biological nitrogen removal (SBNR) utilizes the concept of a direct conversion of ammonium to nitrite and then to nitrogen gas. A successful SBNR requires accumulation of nitrite in the system and inhibition of the activity of nitrite oxidizers. A high concentration of free ammonia (FA) inhibits nitrite oxidizers, but unfortunately decreases the ammonium removal rate as well. Therefore, the optimal range of FA concentration is necessary not only to stabilize nitrite accumulation but also to achieve maximum ammonium removal. In order to derive such optimal FA concentrations, the specific substrate utilization rates of ammonium and nitrite oxidizers were measured. The optimal FA concentration range appeared to be 5–10 mg/L for the adapted sludge. The simulated results from the modified inhibition model expressed by FA and ammonium/nitrite concentrations were shown very similar to the experimental results.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by a grant (no. R01-2001-00437) from the Korea Science & Engineering Foundation (KOSEF).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, 2001 South McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5801, USA

    Jinwook Chung

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China

    Hojae Shim

  3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Sa 1-Dong, Ansan, Kyunggi-Do, South Korea

    Seong-Jun Park, Seung-Jin Kim & Wookeun Bae

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  1. Jinwook Chung
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  2. Hojae Shim
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  3. Seong-Jun Park
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  5. Wookeun Bae
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Correspondence to Jinwook Chung.

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Chung, J., Shim, H., Park, SJ. et al. Optimization of free ammonia concentration for nitrite accumulation in shortcut biological nitrogen removal process. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 28, 275–282 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-005-0035-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-005-0035-y

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