23
Biological Nitrogen Removal Using Immobilized
Bacteria
Y. Argamanl, V. Libman 2 , and G. Papkov 3
1 Faculty 0/ Civil Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute 0/ Technology, Haifa
32000, Israel. e-mail yta@tx.technion.ac.il, Tel:+972-4-829-3394,
Fax: +972-4-822-0l33
2 Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Research Center, TechnionIsrael Institute o/Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
e-mail: cvrlisICa),tx.technion.ac.il, Tel: +972-51-361609, Fax: +972-4-822-8898
3 Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Research Center, TechnionIsrael Institute o/Technology, Haifa 32000, Tel: +972-04-8293314,
Fax: +972-4-822-8898
Abstract
The presence of nitrogen compounds in a wastewater treatment effluent causes
numerous serious environmental impacts. Conventional methods for biological
wastewater treatment do not provide complete nitrogen removal.
This research deals with the development of an innovative system for complete
nitrogen removal. Use of the immobilized autotrophs allows nitrification to be
separated from organic matter removal. As a result, BOD can be treated by
denitrification at the second stage.
This chapter combines results of 3 years of research aimed at the development
of the above system. The specific objectives of the research included selection of
the most suitable gel, development of the appropriate biomass immobilization
procedure, determination of optimal operation parameters, and a study of the
stability and efficiency of the complete system.
Based on literature data and laboratory experiments, PV A gel was selected for
immobilization of the autotrophic bacteria. It demonstrated high physical stability
and low toxicity for the biomass during its immobilization.
The following three concerns were subjects of the performed research. First of
all, conducting the nitrification at the first treatment stage poses a risk of toxicity
of the raw wastewater compounds. Secondly, in the presence of high BOD,
heterotrophic bacteria may be developed on the gel particle surface, thus inhibiting
mass transfer of ammonia and DO; and finally, whether or not the proposed
system can be used for seasonal ammonia fertilizer demand, when the effluent is
used for irrigation.
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel / J. Fuerst! U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002
Biological Nitrogen Removal Using Immobilized
Bacteria
Y. Argamanl, V. Libman 2 , and G. Papkov 3
1 Faculty 0/ Civil Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute 0/ Technology, Haifa
32000, Israel. e-mail yta@tx.technion.ac.il, Tel:+972-4-829-3394,
Fax: +972-4-822-0l33
2 Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Research Center, TechnionIsrael Institute o/Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
e-mail: cvrlisICa),tx.technion.ac.il, Tel: +972-51-361609, Fax: +972-4-822-8898
3 Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Research Center, TechnionIsrael Institute o/Technology, Haifa 32000, Tel: +972-04-8293314,
Fax: +972-4-822-8898
Abstract
The presence of nitrogen compounds in a wastewater treatment effluent causes
numerous serious environmental impacts. Conventional methods for biological
wastewater treatment do not provide complete nitrogen removal.
This research deals with the development of an innovative system for complete
nitrogen removal. Use of the immobilized autotrophs allows nitrification to be
separated from organic matter removal. As a result, BOD can be treated by
denitrification at the second stage.
This chapter combines results of 3 years of research aimed at the development
of the above system. The specific objectives of the research included selection of
the most suitable gel, development of the appropriate biomass immobilization
procedure, determination of optimal operation parameters, and a study of the
stability and efficiency of the complete system.
Based on literature data and laboratory experiments, PV A gel was selected for
immobilization of the autotrophic bacteria. It demonstrated high physical stability
and low toxicity for the biomass during its immobilization.
The following three concerns were subjects of the performed research. First of
all, conducting the nitrification at the first treatment stage poses a risk of toxicity
of the raw wastewater compounds. Secondly, in the presence of high BOD,
heterotrophic bacteria may be developed on the gel particle surface, thus inhibiting
mass transfer of ammonia and DO; and finally, whether or not the proposed
system can be used for seasonal ammonia fertilizer demand, when the effluent is
used for irrigation.
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel / J. Fuerst! U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002