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Sequence optimization in a sequencing batch reactor for biological nutrient removal from domestic wastewater

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Abstract

The purpose of this work was to determine optimum sequence retention times for nutrient removal with low-cost using very short aeration time in an SBR treating domestic wastewater. During the study, four different CYCLEs were evaluated, with the highest removal efficiencies recorded for the CYCLE with fill, anaerobic, aerobic1, anoxic, aerobic2, settle, and decant sequences operated at retention times of 0.5, 2, 2, 1, 0.75, 1, and 0.5 h, respectively. For this CYCLE, the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N), total phosphorus (TP), and ortho-phosphate (PO4–P) were found, on average, to be 91, 78, 85, 87, and 83%, respectively. The optimum sequence retention time was determined via the analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the Matlab software (Mathworks Inc.). The data indicated that the total time of the aerobic sequences was shorter than those of previous studies for similar level of removal efficiencies in all parameters including N and P.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

COD:

Chemical oxygen demand

HRT:

Hydraulic retention time

MLSS:

Mixed liquor suspended solids

MLVSS:

Mixed liquor volatile suspended solids

NH3–N:

Ammonia + ammonium nitrogen

PO4–P:

Phosphate phosphorous

RAS:

Return activated sludge

SBR:

Sequencing batch reactor

SVI:

Sludge volume index

TKN:

Total Kjeldahl nitrogen

TP:

Total phosphorous

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  1. Environmental Engineering Department, Yildiz Technical University, 34220, Istanbul, Turkey

    Eyup Debik & Neslihan Manav

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  1. Eyup Debik
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  2. Neslihan Manav
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Correspondence to Eyup Debik.

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Debik, E., Manav, N. Sequence optimization in a sequencing batch reactor for biological nutrient removal from domestic wastewater. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 33, 533–540 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-009-0366-1

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