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Start-up and stabilization of an Anammox process from a non-acclimatized sludge in CSTR

  • Original Paper
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Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology

Abstract

Development of an Anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation) process using non-acclimatized sludge requires a long start-up period owing to the very slow growth rate of Anammox bacteria. This article addresses the issue of achieving a shorter start-up period for Anammox activity in a well-mixed continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) using non-acclimatized anaerobic sludge. Proper selection of enrichment conditions and low stirring speed of 30 ± 5 rpm resulted in a shorter start-up period (82 days). Activity tests revealed the microbial community structure of Anammox micro-granules. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were found on the surface and on the outer most layers of granules while nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and Anammox bacteria were present inside. Fine-tuning of influent NO2 −/NH4 + ratio allowed Anammox activity to be maintained when mixed microbial populations were present. The maximum nitrogen removal rate achieved in the system was 0.216 kg N/(m3 day) with a maximum specific nitrogen removal rate of 0.434 g N/(g VSS day). During the study period, Anammox activity was not inhibited by pH changes and free ammonia toxicity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. Tapan Chakrabarti, Acting Director, NEERI, Nagpur, India for his guidance and to Miss Priyanka Bihariya for her timely assistance in the experimental work. SB acknowledges the guidance of Dr. Kunal Roychoudhury, Head, Dept. of Microbiology, S. K. Porwal College, Kamptee, Nagpur, India. The financial support provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, New Delhi for this project is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Wastewater Technology Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Nagpur, 440 020, India

    Samik Bagchi, Rima Biswas & Tapas Nandy

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  1. Samik Bagchi
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  2. Rima Biswas
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  3. Tapas Nandy
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Correspondence to Rima Biswas.

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Bagchi, S., Biswas, R. & Nandy, T. Start-up and stabilization of an Anammox process from a non-acclimatized sludge in CSTR. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 37, 943–952 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-010-0743-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-010-0743-4

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