Removal of Ammonia Nitrogen by Activated Sludge Process Using Simultaneous Nitrification Denitrification Method

Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Semarang, 50275, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: junaidiundip@gmail.com

Abstract

Nitrogen concentrations are often found in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and neutral nitrogen waters. This research has investigated the simultaneous removal of biological nitrogen nitrification and denitrification (SND) in a continuous flow system of activated sludge processes. This research was conducted by variations in carbon sources is namely glucose and methanol. Variations of C / N ratios of 5, 10, and 20 were also carried out. The main parameters were analyzed every day until the end of the research period. The main parameter analyzed is ammonia-nitrogen. Besides, additional parameters were also analyzed in the form of COD, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, pH, MLSS, SVI, and DO. The results of research indicate artificially excess nitrogen wastewater can be treated using SND and can produce sufficiently good effluent quality if the operations are running optimally. The highest ammonia-nitrogen removal efficiency of 100% shown by the variation of the carbon methanol source and value of the C / N 20 ratio then followed by the C / N 10 ratio of 78% and the C / N 5 ratio of 59%. Overall, the data shown appropriate controls for carbon and nitrogen inputs are needed to achieve an efficient SND. Proper SND technology can save operating time and energy, and may replace two traditional stages: biological nitrification and denitrification processes.