Denitrification by an expanded bed biofilm reactor

Journal Article · · Research Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation; (USA)

OSTI ID:5697365

MacDonald, D V

The Rancho California Wastewater Reclamation Plant, which has a design capacity of 23.6 mL/d, is located in Southern California approximately 64 km northeast of the City of San Diego. The effluent from this plant is used for irrigation and groundwater recharge. In order to protect the local groundwater from nitrate contamination, the plant must nitrify and subsequently denitrify the plant's effluent to a nitrate-nitrogen concentration of 2.5 mg/L. The influent nitrate-nitrogen concentration to the denitrification facility is normally in the range of 15 to 20 mg/L. Denitrification is achieved by upflow, expanded bed biofilm reactors. The reactor is designed for a loading of 3.0 kg of NO{sub 3}-N per day per m{sup 3} of expanded bed volume. The upflow velocity is 0.4 cm/s and the reactor has an empty bed contact time of 10 minutes at design flow. Each reactor has a design capacity of 7.5 mL/d. The biofilm is grown on a medium of sand with an effective size of 0.6 mm and a uniformity coefficient of 1.2. The reactor has a concrete perforated underdrain, 0.6 meters of support gravel, and 1.2 meters of sand. Following a two-month startup period, the facility consistently removed 95 to 100% of the nitrate nitrogen. The objective of this paper is to present the design criteria and evaluate the first year of operating performance.

• OSTI ID: 5697365
• Journal Information: Research Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation; (USA), Journal Name: Research Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation; (USA) Vol. 62:6; ISSN RJWFE; ISSN 1047-7624
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320603* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DENITRIFICATION
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
FLUIDIZED BED REACTORS
FUEL DISPERSION REACTORS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
NITRATES
NITROGEN
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PILOT PLANTS
REACTORS
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER TREATMENT