A full-scale integrated-bioreactor with two zones treating odours from sludge thickening tank and dewatering house: performance and microbial characteristics

Abstract

The integrated-bioreactor consists of a suspended zone and an immobilized zone.

H₂S and NH₃ from WWTP were effectively eliminated by the integrated-bioreactor.

Different microbial populations dominated in the individual zones.

Most of the H₂S was bio-oxidized into elemental sulfur and sulfate in IZ.

Large amount of NH₃ was converted into nitrate and nitrite in SZ.

A full-scale integrated-bioreactor consisting of a suspended zone and an immobilized zone was employed to treat the ordours emitted from a wastewater treatment plant. The inlet concentrations of H₂S and NH₃ were 1.6–38.6 mg·m⁻³ and 0.1–6.7 mg·m⁻³, respectively, while the steady-state outlet concentrations were reduced to 0–2.8 mg·m⁻³ for H₂S and 0–0.5 mg·m⁻³ for NH₃. Both H₂S and NH₃ were eliminated effectively by the integrated-bioreactor. The removal efficiencies of H₂S and NH₃ differed between the two zones. Four species of microorganisms related to the degradation of H₂S and NH₃ were isolated. The characteristics and distributions of the microbes in the bioreactor depended on the inlet concentration of substrates and the micro-environmental conditions in the individual zones. Product analysis indicated that most of the H₂S was oxidized into sulfate in the immobilized zone but was dissolved into the liquid phase in the suspended zone. A large amount of NH₃ was converted into nitrate and nitrite by nitration in the suspended zone, whereas only a small amount of NH₃ was transferred to the aqueous phase mainly by absorption or chemical neutralization in the immobilized zone. Different microbial populations dominated the individual zones, and the major biodegradation products varied accordingly.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Biological deodorization / Microbial characteristics / Ammonia / Hydrogen sulfide / Wastewater treatment plant

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