The Effect of Zeolite Addition on The Treatment Performance of Sequencing Batch Reactor under Low Temperature

Year 2019, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 33 - 39, 31.05.2019

Engin Gürtekin

Abstract

In this
study, two lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were used for the
treatment of municipal wastewater at low temperature (15^oC). These
SBRs were a C-SBR (control SBR) and a Z-SBR (zeolite SBR). Both reactors were operated
in similar conditions, except for addition of zeolite in the Z-SBR. The results
showed that the average COD, TN, NH₄⁺-N and TP removal
were 90%, 53%, 88% and 93% in Z-SBR compared with 90%, 35%, 75% and 93%. The
results of COD removal showed that there was no significant difference between
two reactors. Z-SBR had better removal capability of nitrogen than C-SBR. Z-SBR
exhibited same TP removal with the C-SBR. A higher MLVSS concentration and
lower SVI values were observed in Z-SBR compared to that of the C-SBR. The
average MLVSS concentration for Z-SBR and C-SBR is 2900 mg l^-1 and
2120 mg l^-1, respectively. The SVI values were lower in Z-SBR (80-100 mL g^-1) than C-SBR (120-140 mL g^-1).
The highest NH₄⁺-N removal
efficiency was observed at pH value of 8.0. It was found that zeolite addition
into SBR lessened the negative influences of low temperature and positively
affected the performance and sludge settling capability. This work showed that
the Z-SBR is an efficient modification of the activated sludge process for
co-removal of organic matter and nitrogen at low temperature.

Keywords

SBR, zeolite, nitrogen removal, low temperature

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