Authors: Dold, P.L.; Stensel, H.D.; Ke, R.; Jones, R.; Bye, C.; Melcer, H.

Source: Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC 2002: Session 31 through Session 40 , pp. 686-706(21)

Publisher: Water Environment Federation

Abstract:

Nitrification kinetics is important for process design, optimization and capacity rating of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. Assessment of nitrification behavior historically has focused on measuring the nitrifier maximum specific growth rate, μ_A. Very little attention has been directed at the importance of nitrifier organism decay rate, b_A (also referred to as k_D), and in many instances the decay rate has been assumed negligible. However, incorrect assessment of decay rate leads to errors in the μ_A estimate; the magnitude of the error depends on the μ_A measurement method employed. This paper illustrates why decay rate is important when measuring μ_A, and that the decay rate is significant. The paper also explains why measurement methods for nitrifier decay may have underestimated the decay rate. Analysis demonstrates that the magnitude of the μ_A growth rate temperature correction coefficient is impacted by the assumed decay rate. A low decay rate results in an overly severe temperature correction; this has important implications for process analysis and plant capacity rating. This research formed part of a WERF project on Standardization and Demonstration of Methods for Measuring Wastewater Characteristics for Activated Sludge Modeling.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2175/193864702784247990

Publication date: 2002-01-01

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