Abstract
A laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor was started-up with flocculated biomass and operated primarily for enhanced biological phosphate removal. Ten weeks after the start-up, gradual formation of granular sludge was observed. The compact biomass structure allowed halving the settling time, the initial reactor volume, and doubling the influent COD concentration. Continued operation confirmed the possibility of maintaining a stable granular biomass with a sludge volume index less than 40 ml g-1, while securing a removal efficiency of 95% for carbon, 99.6% for phosphate, and 71% for nitrogen. Microscopic observations revealed a morphological diversity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 687-693 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Biotechnology Letters |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2003 |
Funding
This study was executed as a part of the research activities of the Environmental Biotechnology Center of the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey. It was also supported by the Research and Development Fund of Istanbul Technical University.
Funders | Funder number |
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Istanbul Teknik Üniversitesi |
Keywords
- Enhanced biological phosphate removal
- Granular sludge
- Morphology
- Sequencing batch reactor
- Sludge volume index