Feasibility of nutrients removal and its pathways using integrated anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor

This research is a continuous work for a previous study, which contemplates the performance of the proposed bioreactor called integrated anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor (IAASBR) regarding the nutrients removal. This investigation is accomplished by two schemes; firstly, choosing the best anoxic/oxic time ratio in the Anx/O SBR compartment, secondly, changing the anaerobic hydraulic retention time (HRTan) to enhance the nutrients removal and sludge maintaining in it. The overall removal efficiencies of SCOD and NH3-N were high (94 ± 4% and 91 ± 10% as average) comparing with the overall removal efficiencies of TN and PO43−, where they were 38% and 6%, respectively in the best operating condition (Anx/O = 3.5 h/1.5 h). Nitrate removal by means of endogenous respiration is the most likely pathway. Furthermore, a conceptual corrigendum; DO concentration in the anoxic phase cannot be maintained at the level below 0.5 mg/L in the SBR unless there is an addition of organic matters. [Display omitted] •High NH3-N removal was achieved with less aeration exertion•Keeping DO less than 0.5 mg/L in anoxic phase not possible: a conceptual corrigendum•No excess sludge disposal from anoxic/aerobic SBR along the investigation period