The basic principle of biological phosphorus removal is to expose bacteria to alternating anaerobic and aerobic conditions to promote “luxury uptake” of phosphorus. Under anoxic to anaerobic conditions, phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAO) have the ability to take in organic substrate. In order to obtain the energy to incorporate the organic substrate into the microbial cell under anaerobic conditions, the bacteria releases phosphorus into the wastewater. When aerobic conditions are restored, the organic substrate taken in is converted to energy and cell mass. This allows the bacteria to take in phosphorus then needed to fulfill its nutrient needs.
Biological Phosphorus Removal
Advantages of Biological Phosphorus Removal
- Incorporates phosphorus into the sludge for ease of removal via WAS or Filtration
- Chemical addition savings
- Reduction of sludge production compared to chemical addition
Biological Phosphorus Removal
Activated Sludge
A well designed activated sludge process will include an anaerobic reactor, zone or period. The combination of this anaerobic selection and time based operation, leads to great phosphorus uptake, allowing for savings of chemical on processes with low phosphorus removal requirements.
Product Solutions
Aqua MixAir®
Aeration System
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AquaSBR®
Sequencing Batch Reactor
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AquaPASS®
Phased Activated Sludge System
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Aqua MSBR®
Modified Sequencing Batch Reactor
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Aqua CAM-D®
Combination Aerator/Mixer/Decanter
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OxyMix®
Pure Oxygen Mixer
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IntelliPro®
Process and Monitoring Control
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Biological Phosphorus Removal
Aerobic Granular Sludge
Based on the strategy of operation of the process for granulation with anaerobic feed and selective wasting, the aerobic granular sludge is an excellent system for enhanced biological phosphorus removal. It can achieve the lower phosphorus level biologically than activated sludge systems.
Product Solutions
Biological Phosphorus Removal
Anaerobic Mixing
Anaerobic mixing is needed for enhancing biological phosphorus removal. This could be achieved in separate tanks or zones. Completely mixing the system provides the ideal distribution of substrate and bacteria, driving the reactions more efficiently.
Product Solutions
Biological Phosphorus Removal
Membrane Systems
The combination of biological phosphorus removal and membranes is a great method of removing phosphorus. Biological phosphorus removal on the biological portion of the membrane system drives the phosphorus to the sludge, which is subsequently separated by the membranes.
Product Solutions
