Enhanced biological phosphate removal by granular sludge in a sequencing batch reactor

Ebru Dulekgurgen*, Suleyman Ovez, Nazik Artan, Derin Orhon

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)687-693
Number of pages7
JournalBiotechnology Letters
Volume25
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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.

FundersFunder number
Istanbul Teknik Üniversitesi

    Keywords

    • Enhanced biological phosphate removal
    • Granular sludge
    • Morphology
    • Sequencing batch reactor
    • Sludge volume index

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