Deammonification Control via pH and Conductivity Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deammonification processes in wastewater treatment face challenges in maintaining optimal pH and alkalinity levels, leading to potential inhibition of anaerobic ammonium oxidation bacteria and excessive growth of nitrite oxidizing bacteria, which affects the efficiency and stability of nitrogen removal.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that control airflow in deammonification MBBR processes using pH, alkalinity, specific conductivity, and ammonium concentration sensors to maintain target levels, preventing drastic pH drops and promoting consistent effluent characteristics by adjusting aeration based on real-time sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If aeration is increased to maintain pH levels, then pH stability is improved, but risk of nitrite oxidizing bacteria growth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors pH levels and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust aeration rates, maintaining pH stability while preventing conditions that promote nitrite oxidizing bacteria growth by avoiding excessive aeration
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes aeration parameters (rate, timing) based on real-time pH measurements and process conditions, optimizing oxygen supply to maintain pH while limiting conditions favorable for nitrite oxidizing bacteria
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aeration is decreased to prevent nitrite oxidizing bacteria growth, then harmful factor is reduced, but pH control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses continuous feedback from pH sensors and ammonium sensors to dynamically adjust aeration, ensuring sufficient oxygen supply for pH maintenance while limiting aeration to prevent nitrite oxidizing bacteria proliferation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts aeration rates based on changing process conditions, increasing aeration when pH requires support and decreasing it when nitrite oxidizing bacteria growth risk increases, achieving both objectives through adaptive control
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple sensors (pH, ammonium, conductivity) into a single multi-functional monitoring platform that performs multiple measurement and control functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple sensing functions and control operations into an integrated control algorithm that processes data from all sensors collectively, simplifying the control architecture while leveraging the precision of multiple measurement parameters
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures near-complete use of influent alkalinity, minimizes ammonium concentration in the effluent, and reduces the risk of nitrite oxidizing bacteria growth, thereby enhancing the stability and efficiency of nitrogen removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
aerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria ("AOB") convert about 50% of the incoming ammonia to nitrite
Implementation Method 2
anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria ("AMX") convert the remaining ammonium and nitrite to nitrogen gas
Implementation Method 3
pH, specific conductivity, ammonium concentration, nitrate concentration, nitrite concentration, or dissolved oxygen concentration
Implementation Method 4
pH, specific conductivity, ammonium concentration, nitrate concentration, nitrite concentration, or dissolved oxygen concentration
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system as described herein, including a method and system of treating ammonium containing water in a deammonification MBBR process where partial nitritation and anaerobic ammonium oxidation may occur simultaneously in a biofilm, or in an integrated fixed film activated sludge process where partial nitritation takes place in a suspended growth fraction and anaerobic ammonium oxidation occurs in a biofilm. The method and system include controlling airflow to the reactor to achieve a target pH, a target alkalinity, a target specific conductivity, and/or a target ammonium concentration in the reactor or in the effluent.