Influencing factors and research progress of partial nitrification-anammox process

Abstract

[Objective] The partial nitrification-anammox(PN/A) process, with its significant advantages in aeration energy savings and external carbon source input, closely aligns with the requirements of quality and efficiency improvement of wastewater treatment plants in the context of “dual-carbon” goals. In recent years, it has garnered increasing attention and applications in the treatment of high-ammonia-nitrogen wastewater. However, it still faces challenges such as limited applicability to various water qualities. To further improve the treatment performance of the PN/A process and expand its applicability, comprehensive review, analysis, and summary of existing research literature and engineering cases are conducted. [Methods] Using systematic analytical method, the reaction mechanisms, main functional microbial communities, and their interactions in the PN/A process are clarified. Based on this, the key factors influencing the treatment performance of the PN/A process, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, aeration intensity, and organic matter concentration, are systematically reviewed, and a detailed analysis of their influence patterns is conducted. Combined with a comparative analysis of reactor types used in the PN/A process, the applications of PN/A in different wastewater treatments are summarized. Furthermore, based on an in-depth analysis of current issues in the PN/A process, future development directions and improvement strategies are proposed. [Results] It is found that PN/A technology exhibits good adaptability and advantages in treating traditional high-ammonia-nitrogen wastewater through the analysis of the influencing factors, mechanisms, and current application status of the PN/A process. However, in the treatment of low-temperature and low-ammonia-nitrogen wastewater, the PN/A process still faces major challenges such as unstable NO^-₂-N supply and low growth activity of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria(AnAOB), requiring further research. [Conclusion] Future research should combine process parameter optimization strategies with the development of new reactors, delving into method for treating high-ammonia-nitrogen wastewater and mainstream municipal wastewater nitrogen removal under low-temperature conditions. This aims to expand the applicability of the PN/A process in water quality treatment and provide references for broader engineering applications.

Keywords

partial nitrification-anammox / high ammonia nitrogen / AOB / landfill leachate / integrated reactor / influencing factors