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    Shortcut Nitrogen Removal-Nitrite Shunt and Deammonification
    Shortcut Nitrogen Removal-Nitrite Shunt and Deammonification
    Shortcut Nitrogen Removal-Nitrite Shunt and Deammonification
    Ebook419 pages3 hours

    Shortcut Nitrogen Removal-Nitrite Shunt and Deammonification

    By Water Environment Federation

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    About this ebook

    Shortcut nitrogen removal, an emerging economical solution for water resource recovery facilities, refers to the biological nitrogen removal (BNR) process whereby ammonia is not converted to nitrate, but instead stops at nitrite to shortcut the conventional nitrification/denitrification process. The resulting breakthrough single-step deammonification has significant advantages compared to conventional BNR processes, including reduced energy requirements, reduced carbon requirements, and reduced chemical costs.

    Shortcut Nitrogen Removal--Nitrite Shunt and Deammonification is an essential resource for facility owners and practitioners evaluating the implementation of these advancements, including guidelines for assessing the application of various technologies.

    This book will ensure that you are able to:

    • understand the current research,
    • identify best practices, and
    • recognize how implementing these emerging processes affects permit compliance, energy recovery, carbon usage, chemical addition, and solids production.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWater Environment Federation
    Release dateJun 1, 2015
    ISBN9781572783195
    Shortcut Nitrogen Removal-Nitrite Shunt and Deammonification

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      Shortcut Nitrogen Removal-Nitrite Shunt and Deammonification - Water Environment Federation

      considerations.

      Preface

      Nitrogen removal and energy autarky (achieving self sufficiency for energy requirements) are two common goals at water resource recovery facilities. Conventional biological nitrogen removal requires energy for aeration and mixing, carbon for denitrification, and chemicals for pH control. In contrast, shortcut nitrogen removal processes provide significant potential benefits in terms of energy, carbon, and chemical savings. Shortcut nitrogen removal refers to biological nitrogen removal that avoids complete oxidation of ammonia to nitrate but halts at nitrite to shortcut the conventional nitrification/denitrification process. Shortcut nitrogen removal includes both nitrite-shunt processes, which still rely on heterotrophic denitritation, as well as full autotrophic deammonification processes.

      Shortcut nitrogen removal has successfully been applied to eliminate ammonia from sidestreams and, to lesser degree, in mainstream processes. Warm sidestreams containing high ammonia concentrations and insufficient alkalinity for conventional nitrification provide an ideal environment for suppressing nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), which is required for shortcut nitrogen removal. With the success of sidestream shortcut nitrogen removal systems, there is great interest in leveraging this knowledge to mainstream application. Because dilute and cold mainstream conditions are not well-suited for out-selection of NOB, shortcut nitrogen removal, in particular deammonification, is eluding full-scale deammonification and NOB out-selection in mainstream is still studied at many pilot-scale and some full-scale systems.

      This special publication presents the state of knowledge and application of shortcut nitrogen removal as applied for sidestream and mainstream nitrogen removal. It contains guidelines for facility owners and practitioners to assess the applicability of various shortcut nitrogen removal technologies. Secondary effects of these shortcut processes on permit compliance, energy recovery, carbon usage, chemical addition, and solids production are provided to allow owners and practitioners to evaluate implementation of these attractive emerging technologies at their facilities.

      This publication was produced under the direction of JB Neethling, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, Chair, and Haydée De Clippeleir, Ph.D., Vice-Chair.

      Authors’ and reviewers’ efforts were supported by the following organizations:

      AECOM, Greenville, South Carolina

      Alfa Laval, Inc., Richmond, Virginia

      ARCADIS, Inc. Denver, Colorado, and Tampa, Florida

      Black & Veatch, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Overland Park, Kansas

      Brown and Caldwell, Alexandria, Virginia; Orlando, Florida; Seattle, Washington; and Walnut Creek, California

      CDM Smith, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Orlando, Florida

      CH2M HILL, Chantilly, Virginia

      Clark County Water Reclamation District, Las Vegas, Nevada

      CONACYT-Cátedras, CIMAV Unidad Durango, México

      COWAC, Fort Lupton, Colorado

      DC Water and Sewer Authority, Washington, D.C.

      Ghent University, Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent, Belgium

      Guillarei WWTP, Tui, Spain

      Hazen and Sawyer, P.C., Fairfax, Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; New York, New York

      HDR, Folsom, California

      Indigo Water Group, LLC, Littleton, Colorado

      Johnson Controls, Inc., Westerville Ohio

      Kruger, Inc., Cary, North Carolina

      Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., Houston, Texas

      PEACE USA, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

      UEM Group (a Toshiba affiliated Company), India

      University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Antwerpen, Belgium

      University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain

      Veolia North America, Indianapolis, Indiana

      World Water Works, Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

      1

      Introduction and Rationale

      JB Neethling, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE

      1.0     SCOPE

      2.0     MOTIVATION

      3.0     PROCESS IMPLICATIONS OF SHORTCUT NITROGEN REMOVAL AND CARBON REDIRECTION

      4.0     OUTLINE

      5.0     TERMINOLOGY

      6.0     LIST OF ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

      7.0     REFERENCES

      1.0   SCOPE

      Shortcut biological nitrogen removal refers to two processes that convert ammonia to nitrogen gas via nitrite: nitrite shunt and deammonification. The common biological nitrogen removal paths in Figure 1.1 illustrate the processes. In conventional nitrification/denitrification, ammonia is oxidized to nitrate and nitrate is reduced to nitrogen gas with nitrite as an intermediate product during the oxidation and reduction steps. Nitrite shunt halts the oxidation step at nitrite and denitrifies nitrite directly to nitrogen gas. Deammonification is the process in which half of the ammonia is oxidized to nitrite, combined with oxidation of the remaining ammonia, using nitrite as the electron acceptor via the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) reaction. The goal of this technical publication is to consolidate the state of knowledge and the state of practice of nitrogen removal processes to allow owners and practitioners to implement these emerging technologies at a reasonable assurance of the longevity of the approach, while minimizing the risk of stranding assets. The publication includes nitrogen management strategies to move toward energy independence. The audience for this publication includes owners, managers, engineers, regulators, operators, and researchers. Furthermore, the publication provides sufficient information to allow owners to make informed decisions.

      FIGURE 1.1 Overview of nitrogen removal processes used in wastewater treatment showing conventional nitrification/denitrification (dashed), deammonification (dotted), and nitrite shunt (solid) lines.

      2.0     MOTIVATION

      Shortcut nitrogen removal has significant advantages compared to conventional nitrification/denitrification processes. The oxygen requirement is reduced for the nitrite shunt process and aeration systems are operated at a lower dissolved oxygen level, improving the overall oxygen transfer efficiency and thereby reducing the energy requirements. In addition, carbon requirements are reduced. This reduces the cost associated with the purchase of supplemental carbon and the associated biomass production if insufficient carbon is available in the influent. If sufficient carbon is available in the influent for denitrification, some additional influent carbon can be redirected via primary treatment to digestion for gas production and energy generation.

      Deammonification only requires partial nitritation, thereby reducing the aeration and alkalinity requirements to 50% of that required for nitrite shunt. More significantly, the carbon requirement is completely eliminated with the anammox bacteria, reducing chemical cost and biological growth.

      3.0     PROCESS IMPLICATIONS OF SHORTCUT NITROGEN REMOVAL AND CARBON REDIRECTION

      The reductions in energy and carbon requirements from shortcut nitrogen removal processes provide additional tools to achieve autarky (energy neutrality) and opportunities for carbon recovery at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). By capturing and directing carbon from the influent toward solids processing, additional energy is derived from anaerobic digestion for methane production and energy recovery.

      The redirection of carbon from an aerobic/biological nutrient removal liquid process to an anaerobic digester has implications for process optimization of the WRRF. High-rate activated sludge processes (biochemical oxygen demand-only processes) can nearly double the organic capture from raw wastewater and divert the organics to anaerobic processes with minimal aerobic oxidation (Jimenez et al., 2013). The consequence is that aerobic biological growth decreases from the reduced carbon, resulting in lower solids inventories, smaller biological process units, and reduced aeration operating costs.

      Redirection of carbon also affects other treatment processes. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal requires sufficient organics to function efficiently and higher dissolved oxygen concentration for phosphorus uptake; operating in nitrite shunt mode may affect the generation of greenhouse gases (specifically, reduction in aeration energy and production of nitrogen oxide [NO] and nitrous oxide [N2O]). In addition, settleability may be affected from low dissolved oxygen operation and operating at a reduced, more aggressive sludge age provides a smaller margin of safety for operation. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal requires an anaerobic zone where phosphorus is released, followed by an aerobic zone where phosphorus is taken up by bacteria. The effect of shortcut nitrogen removal processes, many requiring low dissolved oxygen operation or on/off aeration, on the biological phosphorus removal efficiency and reliability is still uncertain. Further investigation is required to implement shortcut nitrogen removal into biological phosphorus removal processes. Great uncertainty remains as to the change in NO and N2O emissions for different nutrient removal processes (Falk et al., 2013) and reliability of process performance (Bott and Parker, 2011). Site-specific evaluations are required to determine these risks.

      The nitrogen removal pathways in Figure 1.1 occur simultaneously with the degree of a particular pathway controlled by the environmental conditions and the ability to sustain the population of bacteria mediating the reaction. The process operator can manipulate the outcome by changing the environmental conditions, specifically dissolved oxygen and pH, to achieve different objectives. However, in many cases, it is currently not possible to completely control the biochemical reactions. Consequently, additional polishing steps may need to be included in the process to achieve lower limits for specific compounds such as ammonia.

      The ability to use online instrumentation to control and manipulate the environment and process outcome has increased rapidly in recent years (Regmi et al., 2014). With reliable measurements of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and sophisticated control algorithms, blower, pH, and dissolved oxygen control systems are emerging that make shortcut nitrogen processes practical. The control processes allow for a progression from conventional nitrification/denitrification to nitrite shunt to deammonification using online instrumentation. Simultaneous nitrification/denitrification has been documented in oxidation ditches, fixed film, and other processes, and represents the start of shortcut biological nitrogen removal processes.

      4.0     OUTLINE

      This publication presents current knowledge of shortcut biological nitrogen removal processes and compares that to the conventional nitrification/ denitrification process. The application of shortcut nitrogen processes to low concentration, cold liquid stream (mainstream) and to high-strength, warm solids processing reject water (sidestream) is presented. The publication is organized as follows:

      •  Process fundamentals of biological nitrogen removal processes;

      •  Sidestream treatment using nitrite shunt and deammonification;

      •  Mainstream treatment using nitrite shunt and deammonification;

      •  Energy and carbon considerations toward autarky;

      •  Implementation, process flow diagrams, and modeling of shortcut nitrogen removal; and

      •  Future directions to extend resource recovery and energy production.

      5.0     TERMINOLOGY

      Terminology proposed by the Water Environment Research Foundation Nutrient Challenge (WERF, 2014) is used in this publication. The terminology is defined in this section.

      ABAC   Control system for aeration designed to optimize aeration efficiency and produce low effluent nitrogen and ammonia, which is equal to a specified set point by controlling aeration intensity and/or aerated volume based on online ammonia measurements.

      Aerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AerAOB)   Autotrophic bacteria capable of catabolic oxidation of ammonia to nitrite (nitritation) for energy production.

      Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB)   Autotrophic bacteria capable of catabolic oxidation of ammonia.

      Anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB)   Autotrophic bacteria capable of catabolic oxidation of ammonia with nitrite to nitrogen gas. These bacteria are also called anammox bacteria. The term, AnAOB, is preferred.

      Anammox bacteria   Autotrophic bacteria that derive energy from the anammox reaction of ammonia oxidation by nitrite under anaerobic conditions.

      Autarky   Achieving self-sufficiency or independence. Used in this publication as energy autarky to become self-sufficient in terms of importing resources (power, chemicals, and gas) for wastewater treatment.

      AVN control   Control system for aeration designed to optimize aeration efficiency and produce low-effluent nitrogen by controlling aeration intensity and/or aerated volume based on online ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite measurements and maintaining ammonia and NOx (NO2 + NO3) equal in the effluent. This control system for aeration targets nitrite shunt and could produce effluent ammonia and nitrite levels that are amenable for downstream anammox polishing.

      Carbon redirection   Enhancing energy recovery by capturing energy-rich influent carbon in the primary sludge (biological or physico-chemical) instead of oxidizing it during aerobic biological treatment, thereby reducing the volume required for overall treatment. A high carbon redirection is equivalent to working at a high observed yield. Carbon redirection captures carbon that can be recovered to produce value-added commodities.

      Deammonification   Deammonification is the process that includes partial nitritation (carried out by AerAOB and AnAOB) that occurs in a single reactor or in two reactors in series.

      Denitratation   The biological reduction of nitrate to nitrite, typically as the first step for denitrification. This reduction requires an electron acceptor such as organic compounds, reduced sulfur, and hydrogen.

      Denitrification   Commonly used biological process to reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas. The biological reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas occurs in a several steps: first, the reduction of nitrate to nitrite followed by a step-wise reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide, to nitrous oxide, and finally to nitrogen gas. This reduction requires an electron acceptor such as organic compounds, reduced sulfur, and hydrogen.

      Denitritation   The biological reduction of nitrite to nitrogen gas, typically as the second step for denitrification. This reduction requires an electron acceptor such as organic compounds, reduced sulfur, and hydrogen.

      Nitratation   Biological oxidation of nitrite to nitrate using oxygen as the electron acceptor: NO2- + 0.5 O2 ≥ NO3-.

      Nitrification   The two-step biological conversion of ammonia to nitrate consisting of ammonia oxidation to nitrite (nitritation) followed by nitrite oxidation to nitrate (nitratation).

      Nitrification–denitrification   A process for biological nitrogen removal in which ammonia is oxidized to nitrate by biological nitrification followed by nitrate reduction to nitrogen gas by biological denitrification. A carbon source is required for denitrification.

      Nitritation   Biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrite using oxygen as the electron acceptor: NH4+ + 1.5 O2 ≥ NO2- + H2O + 2H+.

      Nitritation–denitritation   A process to achieve biological nitrogen removal where biological oxidation of ammonia is only to nitrite, followed by biological reduction of nitrite to nitrogen gas. Nitritation– denitritation is a more accurate description of the biological processes to remove nitrogen without oxidation to nitrate. The term, nitrite shunt, is the preferred term for the process relying on the nitritation– denitritation sequence.

      Nitritation–nitratation   Sequential biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrite (nitritation) and biological oxidation of nitrite to nitrate (nitratation). This conversion is commonly referred to as nitrification. The term, nitrification, is the preferred term for the complete biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrate.

      Nitrite shunt   A process to achieve biological nitrogen removal where biological oxidation of ammonia is only to nitrite, followed by biological reduction of nitrite to nitrogen gas.

      Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB)   Autotrophic bacteria capable of catabolic oxidation of nitrite to nitrate (nitratation) for energy production.

      NOB out-selection   Process operated to provide environmental conditions to limit the growth of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria and favor the growth of other target organisms. The established difference in growth rates between NOB and the other target organisms results in a NOB out-selection by operating close to or below NOB washout sludge retention times.

      NOB suppression   Process operated to provide environmental conditions to suppress the growth of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria.

      NOB washout selection   Operating strategy to eliminate nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by selective wasting.

      Shortcut nitrogen removal   This term is used to refer to both nitrite shunt and deammonification.

      6.0     LIST OF ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

      7.0     REFERENCES

      Bott, C. B.; Parker, D. S. (2011) Nutrient Management Volume II: Removal Technology Performance & Reliability; Water Environment Research Foundation: Alexandria, Virginia.

      Falk, M. W.; Reardon, D. J.; Neethling, J. B.; Clark, D. L.; Pramanik, A. (2013) Striking the Balance between Nutrient Removal, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Receiving Water Quality, and Costs. Water Environ. Res., 85, 2307.

      Jimenez, J.; Bott, C.; Miller, M.; Murthy, S.; Randall, A.; Nogaj, T.; Wett, B. (2013) High-Rate Activated Sludge System for Carbon Removal—Pilot Results and Crucial Process Parameters. Proceedings of the 86th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference [CD-ROM]; Chicago, Illinois, Oct 5–9; Water Environment Federation: Alexandria, Virginia.

      Regmi, P.; Miller, M. W.; Holgate, B.; Bunce, R.; Park, H.; Chandran, K.; Wett, B.; Murthy, S.; Bott, C. B. (2014) Control of Aeration, Aerobic SRT and COD Input for Mainstream Nitritation/Denitritation. Water Res., 52, 162–171.

      Water Environment Research Foundation (2014) Reference Guide of Proposed Terminology for Nutrient Management. http://www.werf.org (accessed Nov 2014).

      2

      Process Fundamentals— Microbiology, Stoichiometry, Kinetics, and Inhibition

      Susanne Lackner, Ph.D., and Shelesh Agrawal

      1.0     INTRODUCTION

      2.0     NITRIFICATION

      2.1     Ammonia Oxidation

      2.1.1     Microbiology and Stoichiometry of Aerobic Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria

      2.1.2     Kinetics, Inhibition, and Other Influencing Factors

      2.2     Nitrite Oxidation (Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria)

      2.2.1     Microbiology and Stoichiometry of Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria

      2.2.2     Kinetics, Inhibition, and Other Influencing Factors

      3.0     DENITRIFICATION

      3.1     Microbiology and Stoichiometry

      3.2     Kinetics, Inhibition, and Other Influencing Factors

      4.0     ANAEROBIC AMMONIUM OXIDATION

      4.1     Microbiology and Stoichiometry

      4.2     Kinetics, Inhibition, and Other Influencing Factors

      5.0     PROCESS COMBINATIONS

      6.0     REFERENCES

      1.0     INTRODUCTION

      Raw municipal wastewater has a total nitrogen (N) concentration of 30 to 100 mg N/L, and is composed of around 65 to 75% ammonium (NH4+) and 25 to 35% organic nitrogen (Henze et al., 2008). This chapter will introduce the basic microbiological aspects of all nitrogen removal pathways relevant for biological wastewater treatment, with the treatment goal of converting these compounds to nitrogen gas. Alternatives to this concept are discussed in Chapter 9.

      Figure 2.1 shows a simplified version of the nitrogen cycle. It includes fixation of nitrogen, nitrification, denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), and assimilation of nitrate. It also presents the respective oxidation states of

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