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Effects of the internal recycling rate on biological nutrient removal and microbial community structure in a sequential anoxic/anaerobic membrane bioreactor

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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of the internal recycling rate on nutrients removal in a sequential anoxic/anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAM). Microbial community structure in sludge from the SAM was studied using quinone profile method. Above 98% COD, 68% nitrogen, and 55% phosphorus removal efficiencies were achieved when the internal recycling rate was 2.5 times influent flow. At that rate, the optimum specific nitrate loading rate and COD/NO3-N ratio were found to be 2.24 mgNO3-N g−1 MLSS h−1 and 9.13, respectively. Batch tests demonstrated that anoxic condition suppressed phosphorus release, and that denitrification was also influenced by initial substrate concentration. Denitrification appeared to have some priority over phosphorus release for substrate uptake. Microbial community analysis revealed a predominance of the subclass β-Proteobacteria. Furthermore, it was found that Rhodocyclus-related bacteria were efficient at phosphorus removal than Actinobacteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environment System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 131, Cheongryang, Seoul, 130-650, Republic of Korea

    Zubair Ahmed & Kyu-Hong Ahn

  2. Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Myungji University, Yongin, Kyungki-do, Republic of Korea

    Byung-Ran Lim

  3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, USA

    Jinwoo Cho

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  1. Zubair Ahmed
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  2. Byung-Ran Lim
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  3. Jinwoo Cho
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  4. Kyu-Hong Ahn
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Correspondence to Zubair Ahmed or Kyu-Hong Ahn.

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Ahmed, Z., Lim, BR., Cho, J. et al. Effects of the internal recycling rate on biological nutrient removal and microbial community structure in a sequential anoxic/anaerobic membrane bioreactor. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 30, 61–69 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-006-0098-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-006-0098-4

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