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The “azotopure” process for treating nitrogen‐deficient aqueous wastes
Author(s) -
Finn Robert K.,
Tannahill Alex L.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260150215
Subject(s) - effluent , aeration , activated sludge , pulp and paper industry , sludge bulking , dispose pattern , sedimentation , waste management , chemistry , sewage , sewage treatment , environmental science , chemostat , nitrogen , ammonia , bacteria , environmental engineering , biology , engineering , paleontology , genetics , organic chemistry , sediment
Many chemical and food processing wastes are deficient in nitrogen, and must therefore be supplemented with domestic sewage or ammonia to dispose of them by conventional biological treatment. A more economical treatment, especially of strong wastes, is possible by maintaining a semipure culture of nitrogen‐fixing bacteria in a stirred aerated tank. When operated as a chemostat with 4 to 6 hr detention time, removal of 85% of the COD is possible in a single step without the need for clarifiers or digesters. A clarified effluent could also be produced by flotation or sedimentation of the flocculated bacteria. In that case there would be 99% removal of COD and a reduction in the amount of sludge by two‐thirds over the conventional activated sludge process.