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Nitrification control by chlorite ion at pilot scale
Author(s) -
McGuire Michael J.,
Pearthree Marie S.,
Blute Nicole K.,
Arnold Katie F.,
Hoogerwerf Tanya
Publication year - 2006
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.1551-8833.2006.tb07567.x
Subject(s) - nitrification , sodium chlorite , chemistry , chlorite , ammonia , environmental engineering , environmental science , pulp and paper industry , inorganic chemistry , nitrogen , materials science , engineering , biochemistry , organic chemistry , quartz , chlorine dioxide , composite material
A six‐month pilot study in Tucson, Ariz., investigated factors promoting nitrification and potential control methods. Twelve parallel plug‐flow pilot‐treatment trains were tested. The pilot units reproduced the nitrification process in a manner similar to nitrification occurrence in full‐scale distribution systems. Results confirmed previous laboratory and full‐scale studies indicating that the presence of chlorite ion prevents nitrification and stabilizes ammonia concentrations. At a concentration low of 0.1 mg/L and at three higher concentrations, a continuous chlorite ion feed prevented nitrification from becoming established. In systems with serious nitrification already under way, slug chlorite ion feeds as low as 0.2 mg/L stopped nitrification for several weeks. Utilities with severe nitrification problems may find that the cost of control with sodium chlorite is more than compensated for by eliminating the costs of traditional control and avoiding problems with coliform and disinfection by‐product compliance.