Acclimation of Nitrifiers for Activated Sludge Treatment: A Bench-Scale Evaluation

The design of conventional activated sludge systems is generally not conducive to nitrification—the microbial process of reducing nitrogen compounds, typically ammonia, in wastewater treatment. However, the process of adding supplemental nitrifying bacteria developed from high-strength ammonia wastewater in side-stream treatment systems is a promising solution that could reduce operating costs and capital investments in traditional systems. This report researches the potential to culture nitrifying microorganisms at various solids retention times and the subsequent ability of those cultures to acclimate to a non-nitrifying activated sludge process. Published by WERF. 69 pages. Soft cover.

Originally funded as WERF project 00-CTS-16ET.