PVA-alginate immobilized cells for anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process.

The feasibility of an anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process combined with a cell-immobilization technique for autotrophic nitrogen removal was investigated. Anammox biomass was cultivated from local activated sludge and achieved significant anammox activity in 6 months. The development of a mature anammox biomass was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis and off-line activity measurements. The abundance fraction of the anammox bacteria determined by FISH analysis was estimated by software. The anaerobic ammonia oxidizers occupied almost half of the total cells. Additionally, the anammox biomass was granulated as spherical gel beads of 3-4 mm in diameter by using a cell-immobilization technique. The nitrogen removal activity was proved to be successfully retained in the beads, with about 80% of nitrogenous compounds (NH(4) (+), NO(2) (- )and total nitrogen) removed after 48 h. These results offer a promising technique for the preservation of anammox microorganisms, the protection of them against the unfavorable surroundings, and the prevention of biomass washout towards the implementation of sustainable nitrogen elimination biotechnology. This is the first report on the immobilization of anammox biomass as gel beads.

Partial nitrification of ammonium-rich wastewater as pretreatment for anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) using membrane aeration bioreactor.

A lab-scale membrane aeration bioreactor (MBR) system was developed for treating synthetic ammonium-rich wastewater to yield an appropriate NO(2)(-)/NH(4)(+) mixture as a pretreatment for anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox). The effluent with a suitable NO(2)(-)/NH(4)(+) ratio (1:1 to 1:1.3) was obtained in 24 h using the developed MBR system under suitable conditions. Additionally, the control of bulk dissolved oxygen (DO) level under a desired condition (anoxic condition) was easier and more economical than traditional aeration systems. An optimal initial alkalinity of 1500 mg CaCO(3)l(-1) was necessary for achieving 50% partial nitrification of wastewater with an initial ammonium concentration of 510 mg NH(4)-N l(-1) within 24 h. Furthermore, there is no need for pH adjustment by adding a base or an acid throughout the reaction if the initial alkalinity is appropriately controlled. Both the appropriate NO(2)(-)/NH(4)(+) ratio and the low DO level make this MBR system an ideal system for Anammox.