Carbon dioxide stimulation of nitrification in activated sludge reactors
US7655143B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W10/10
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of stimulating nitrification at low SRT by elevating pCO2 during aeration is disclosed. The improvement on solids settling performance when elevated pCO2 was supplied after 2 hours within the React cycle is consistent with the previous results that identified inorganic carbon as a potential remedy to poor settling and bulking sludge problems in activated sludge systems. Elevated pCO2 increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and lowers the pH, which improve nitrification. The specific growth rate of nitrifying bacteria is sensitive to pCO2, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO). The DO is a function of the aeration rate. Elevating the pCO2 and lowering the aeration rate provides conditions for nitrification rates that are comparable to conventional systems. However, the lower aeration rate yields significant energy cost savings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.