Wastewater Treatment Technologies: Overview on Nutrient Extraction from Runoff
In the realm of wastewater treatment, two biological processes have gained significant attention: the SHARON and Annamox processes. These methods, while sharing a common goal of nutrient removal, operate in distinct ways and offer unique benefits.
The SHARON process is a partial aerobic conversion of ammonium to nitrite. This process is designed for high activity ammonia removal, with the main microorganisms being ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). The SHARON process operates over nitrite and specifically targets ammonia removal. It requires a moderate amount of oxygen, with aeration being essential, but less than that required for full nitrification.
On the other hand, the Anammox process is an anaerobic ammonium oxidation by autotrophic bacteria. Unlike the SHARON process, the Anammox process does not specify a particular nutrient for removal. Instead, it uses ammonium and nitrite, produced by the SHARON process or partial nitrification, to convert the remaining ammonium directly to nitrogen gas without the need for organic carbon or oxygen. The main microorganisms in this process are Anammox bacteria, which belong to the Planctomycetes.
In side stream treatment, the SHARON process often precedes the Anammox process. This sequence allows for rapid, energy-efficient nitrogen removal from high-strength wastewater streams such as sludge dewatering liquors. The combination of SHARON followed by Anammox is particularly effective in such scenarios.
The Anammox process stands out for its low energy consumption, high nitrogen removal efficiency, and low sludge production. However, it has slower start-up times and is more sensitive to environmental conditions compared to the SHARON process, which allows for faster nitrite accumulation but requires careful aeration control.
In conclusion, the SHARON process plays a crucial role in the side stream treatment of wastewater, as it produces the substrate necessary for the Anammox bacteria to convert ammonium and nitrite into nitrogen gas. This synergistic approach maximizes nitrogen removal efficiency while reducing aeration energy consumption and sludge production.
[1] This synergistic approach for side stream nutrient removal is discussed in detail in the "Side Stream Nutrient Removal - Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet," published in 2007. This document provides valuable information on various wastewater treatment methods and their applications.
In the context of environmental science and wastewater treatment, the combination of SHARON and Anammox processes significantly reduces wastewater's nitrogen content, thus contributing positively to the preservation of the environment and waterways by preventing water pollution. Technologically, this synergistic approach in side stream treatment, as detailed in the "Side Stream Nutrient Removal - Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet" (2007), minimizes energy consumption, sludge production, and maximizes nitrogen removal efficiency.
