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Nitrogen removal from slaughterhouse wastewater in a sequencing batch reactor under controlled low DO conditions

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine nitrogen removal from slaughterhouse wastewater in a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) operated at low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels under two aeration strategies: intermittent aeration (IA) and continuous aeration (CA). Under the IA strategy, during the aeration periods, the maximum DO was controlled at 10% saturation; under the CA strategy, in the first hour of the react phase, the DO was maintained at 10% saturation, and then it was kept at 2–3% saturation in the remaining react phase. Total nitrogen removals of up to 95 and 91% were achieved under the IA and CA aeration strategies, respectively. It is proposed that in situ measurement of oxygen utilization rates can be used to control the operation of SBRs for nitrogen removal.

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Acknowledgments

This project is funded by the Irish EPA under the ERTDI programme (Project Reference Number: 2005-ET-MS-31-M3). The authors wish to thank Dr. Brian Donlon, EPA, and Mr. Brian Cloonan and Ms. Caroline Scanlan, Western Proteins, Co. Mayo, for their help and support.

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Correspondence to Xinmin Zhan.

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Zhan, X., Healy, M.G. & Li, J. Nitrogen removal from slaughterhouse wastewater in a sequencing batch reactor under controlled low DO conditions. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 32, 607–614 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-008-0283-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-008-0283-8

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