Partial denitrification-anammox (PdNA) application in mainstream IFAS configuration using raw fermentate as carbon source.

This research examined the feasibility of raw fermentate for mainstream partial denitrification-anammox (PdNA) in a pre-anoxic integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) process. Fermentate quality sampled from a full-scale facility was highly dynamic, with 360-940 mg VFA-COD/L and VFA/soluble COD ratios ranging from 24% to 48%. This study showed that PdNA selection could be achieved even when using low quality fermentate. Nitrate residual was identified as the main factor driving the PdN efficiency, while management of nitrate conversion rates was required to maximize overall PdNA rates. AnAOB limitation was never observed in the IFAS system. Overall, this study showed PdN efficiencies up to 38% and PdNA rates up to 1.2 ± 0.7 g TIN/m2 /d with further potential for improvements. As a result of both PdNA and full denitrification, this concept showed the potential to save 48-89% methanol and decrease the carbon footprint of water resource recovery facilities (WRRF) by 9-15%. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Application of PdNA with variable quality fermentate is feasible when the nitrate residual concentration is increased to enhance PdN selection. To maximize nitrogen removed through PdNA, nitrate conversion rates need enhancement through optimization of upstream aeration and PdN control setpoints. The IFAS PdNA process was never anammox limited; success depended on the degree of PdN achieved to make nitrite available. Application of PdNA with fermentate can yield 48-89% savings in methanol or other carbon compared with conventional nitrification and denitrification. Integrating PdNA upstream from polishing aeration and anoxic zones guarantees that stringent limits can be met (<5 mg N/L).