Biologically catalyzed reduction of nitrous oxide to nitrogen gas using waste water treatment systems
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States)
Nitrous oxide is one of several gases in the atmosphere which contribute to the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion. Atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide have risen at 0.2--0.3% per year over the last thirty years A documented anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide is the nitrification/denitrification process of waste water treatment plants. One method of eliminating these emissions is to facilitate the biologically catalyzed reduction of nitrous oxide to nitrogen gas using the activated sludge from a municipal waste water treatment plant. This study details the feasibility of such a reaction. The effect of using a supplementary electron donor to encourage the reduction as well as the possible inhibition and/or competition of NO{sub x} is examined. Experimental results allow for the estimation of rate constants describing the reaction {minus}d[N{sub 2}O]/dt and indicate that an electron donor such as methanol or dextrose increases the rate of reduction significantly. These findings could be used to develop biological treatment processes for the elimination of nitrous oxide emissions from industrial sources and waste water treatment plants or for the remediation of ground waters.
- OSTI ID:
- 250901
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9507204-; TRN: IM9629%%214
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 27. Mid-Atlantic industrial waste conference, Bethlehem, PA (United States), 9-12 Jul 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Hazardous and industrial wastes: Proceedings of the twenty-seventh Mid-Atlantic industrial waste conference; Sengupta, A.K. [ed.] [Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States)]; PB: 973 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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