Article

Kinetic model of a granular sludge SBR: Influences on nutrient removal

  1. M.K. de Kreuk1,*,
  2. C. Picioreanu1,
  3. M. Hosseini1,
  4. J.B. Xavier2,
  5. M.C.M. van Loosdrecht1

Article first published online: 18 DEC 2006

DOI: 10.1002/bit.21196

Issue

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Volume 97, Issue 4, pages 801–815, 1 July 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

de Kreuk, M., Picioreanu, C., Hosseini, M., Xavier, J. and van Loosdrecht, M. (2007), Kinetic model of a granular sludge SBR: Influences on nutrient removal. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 97: 801–815. doi: 10.1002/bit.21196

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628BC Delft, The Netherlands; telephone: 0031-15-2781551; fax: 0031-15-2782355

  2. 2

    Biomathematics group, Instituto de Technologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova Lisboa, R. Qta Grande 6, 2780 Oeiras, Portugal

*Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628BC Delft, The Netherlands; telephone: 0031-15-2781551; fax: 0031-15-2782355.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 MAY 2007
  2. Article first published online: 18 DEC 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 25 AUG 2006
  4. Manuscript Received: 23 MAY 2006

Funded by

  • STOW. Grant Number: TNW99.262
  • STWA. Grant Number: DPC5577
  • FCT/MCTES, Portugal. Grant Number: SFRH/BPD/11485/2002

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (363K)

Keywords:

  • aerobic granular sludge;
  • modeling;
  • nutrient removal;
  • SBR;
  • simultaneous nitrification/denitrification (SND);
  • P-removal

Abstract

A mathematical model was developed that can be used to describe an aerobic granular sludge reactor, fed with a defined influent, capable of simultaneously removing COD, nitrogen and phosphate in one sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The model described the experimental data from this complex system sufficiently. The effect of process parameters on the nutrient removal rates could therefore be reliably evaluated. The influence of oxygen concentration, temperature, granule diameter, sludge loading rate, and cycle configuration were analyzed. Oxygen penetration depth in combination with the position of the autotrophic biomass played a crucial role in the conversion rates of the different components and thus on overall nutrient removal efficiencies. The ratio between aerobic and anoxic volume in the granule strongly determines the N-removal efficiency as it was shown by model simulations with varying oxygen concentration, temperature, and granule size. The optimum granule diameter for maximum N- and P-removal in the standard case operating conditions (DO 2 mg L−1, 20°C) was found between 1.2 and 1.4 mm and the optimum COD loading rate was 1.9 kg COD m−3 day−1. When all ammonia is oxidized, oxygen diffuses to the core of the granule inhibiting the denitrification process. In order to optimize the process, anoxic phases can be implemented in the SBR-cycle configuration, leading to a more efficient overall N-removal. Phosphate removal efficiency mainly depends on the sludge age; if the SRT exceeds 30 days not enough biomass is removed from the system to keep effluent phosphate concentrations low. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 801–815. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Get PDF (363K)