ABSTRACT

Moving-Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) process is an ideal preference for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) attributing to the longer sludge age and aerobic/anoxic microenvironment along biofilm. However, conventional carriers generally exhibit negative charge and surface hydrophobicity, which are unbeneficial for biofilm formation. In this study, novel surface-modified carriers with favourable hydrophilicity (surface contact angle dropped to 60.2 ± 2.3°) and positive surface charge (+11.7 ± 1.1 mV, pH 7.0) were prepared via polymer blending and implemented for SND in continuous flow MBBR system. Results indicated SND started up quickly with more biomass in MBBR filled with surface-modified carriers. At the operation condition of low dissolved oxygen level (0.75 ± 0.25 mg/L), pH of 7.5 ± 0.5, 23 ± 2°C and C/N ratio of 7, COD, NH₄⁺-N and TN removal efficiencies were 90.5%, 88.6% and 76.6% respectively in MBBR filled with surface-modified carriers, which ensured the effluent met the first grade A of the Discharge Standard of China. On the contrary, COD, NH₄⁺-N and TN removal efficiencies were 89.7%, 82.3% and 60.4% respectively in the control reactors filled with conventional polyethylene carriers. The worse performance of the control reactor was mainly attributed to the less biomass and lower functional bacteria abundance developed on conventional carriers. Moreover, novel carriers provided a favourable niche for more types of functional bacteria, of which autotrophic nitrification, anoxic denitrification, heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification co-existed and participated in nitrogen removal.