ARS | Publication request: NITRIFICATION OF SWINE WASTEWATER USING BACTERIA ENCAPSULATED IN POLYMER PELLETS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 27, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Nitrifying microorganisms encapsulated in polymer resins are used in municipal wastewater treatment plants for higher nitrification rates and smaller reactors. A prototype plant was set up in a swine operation in Duplin Co., North Carolina, for nitrification treatment of lagoon wastewater. The unit consisted of a 0.34 m**3 contact aeration tank made of PVC crossflow media and used to lower influent BOD, a 0.18 m**3 sedimentation tank, and a 1.3 m**3 aerated fluidized tank used for nitrification treatment. The unit was completed with pH and DO controllers. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) pellets containing 2% activated municipal sludge were added in the nitrification tank at 10% (v/v) concentration. Pellets were successfully acclimated to swine wastewater during a 3-month period in which the ammonia loading rate was increased by decreasing the hydraulic residence time (HRT). Nitrification efficiencies of more than 80% were obtained during spring with an ammonia load of 476 g N/m**3 tank/d (HRT=19 hr) and during summer months with ammonia loading rates of 604 g N/Mm** tank/d (HRT=12 hr).