ABSTRACT
The removal of organic matter and nitrogen in diluted domestic sewage was evaluated in two hybrid reactors, one anaerobic (ANHR) and another aerobic (AEHR). ANHR was formed by a upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB)-type chamber overlaid by an anaerobic filter, while AEHR had an activated sludge chamber overlaid by a submerged aerated biofilm chamber. The experimental period was divided into two phases, FI and FII, with recirculation ratios of 50 and 75%, and duration of 94 and 110 days, respectively. For nitrogen removal, AEHR was operated with a 3.0-mg.L-1 dissolved oxygen. Polymerase chain reaction technique was used for both suspended sludge in the down-chambers and attached biofilm in the upper-chambers, to identify the presence of denitrifying and nitrifying microorganisms. The highest removal efficiencies in terms of chemical oxygen demand and total nitrogen were obtained in FII, being 91 and ~50%, respectively; effluent concentrations were ~40 mg O2.L-1 and ~15 mg N-TN.L-1. The presence of three groups of bacteria, the denitrifiers, the ammonia oxidants and the nitrite oxidants, was confirmed in the attached biofilm of the RHAE, indicating a mixotrophic biomass and suggesting the possibility of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification process.
Keywords:
UASB; anaerobic filter; activated sludge; submerged aerated biofilm; nitrification and denitrification; diluted domestic sewage