title: Using porous ceramic media in the upflow packed-bed reactor (UPBR) system for nitrogen removal via autotrophic nitrification and denitrification.
abstract: In this study, the feasibility of an innovative upflow packed-bed reactor (UPBR) system using porous sulfur and lime ceramic media (CERAMED-L and CERAMED-SL) to remove nitrogen for wastewater treatment was evaluated. The specific lime dissolution rates for CERAMEDs in the UPBRs show an inverse proportion to pH and resulted in 2.32 g as CaCO(3) kg(-1) CERAMED-L d(-1) and 1.64 g as CaCO(3) kg(-1) CERAMED-SL d(-1) at a pH 6.7. The calculated specific nitrification rate resulted 1.73-2.29 kg NH(4)(+)-N m(-3) CERAMED-L d(-1), with a F/M ratio in the range 0.08-0.31 g NH(4)(+)-N g(-1) VS d(-1). The alkalinity shortage in the feed solution seemed to be overcome by supplying specific alkalinity of 3.88 kg as CaCO(3) m(-3) CERAMED-L d(-1) through the dissolution of lime from CERAMED-L. Autotrophic denitrification efficiencies were in the range of 83-96% during the test period, and the average specific denitrification rates of 0.97-1.92 kg NO(3)(-)N m(-3) CERAMED-SL d(-1) and 0.19-0.36 g NO(3)(-)-N g(-1) VS d(-1) were obtained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences & Environmental Engineering, The Catholic University of Korea, Kyunggi-do, Republic of Korea. geebhan@catholic.ac.kr
authors.forename: Gee-Bong
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jai-Koo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D019149:Bioreactors; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002516:Ceramics; D058440:Denitrification; D058465:Nitrification; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry; D013855:Thiobacillus / Q000378:metabolism; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D010087:Oxides; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D013455:Sulfur; C016538:lime