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Removing Nitrate With a Methylotrophic Fluidized Bed: Technology and Operating Performance
Author(s) -
Liessens Jan,
Germonpré Richard,
Beernaert Stan,
Verstraete Willy
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1993.tb05972.x
Subject(s) - nitrate , effluent , fluidized bed , methanol , nitrite , chemistry , denitrification , environmental engineering , environmental science , water treatment , pulp and paper industry , waste management , nitrogen , engineering , organic chemistry
A pilot biological fluidized‐bed plant with a capacity of 40 m 3 /h has been in operation since January 1988 at De Blankaart drinking water production center for removing nitrate from surface water. Methanol is used as the reductant. With a nitrate removal efficiency of 9.0 kg NO 3 − /m 3 reactor.day at 3.5°C, the system has shown superior performance compared with conventional fixed‐bed biofilm reactors. With an influent concentration of 75 mg NO 3 − /L, complete nitrate removal was achieved at an empty bed contact time of 15 min. Nitrite was not detected in the effluent, provided there was a slight excess of methanol (1–2 mg/L). Residual methanol was easily removed by the existing downstream drinking water treatment processes.