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N2-sparged denitrification reactor promising for small systems
Citation:
Woodruff, P., A. Keithley, D. Williams, N. Dugan, AND D. Lytle. N2-sparged denitrification reactor promising for small systems. Presented at Water Quality and Technology Conference, cincinnati, OH, November 13 - 17, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation discusses the development and improvement of a nitrogen-sparged denitrification system to remove nitrate from drinking water. The innovative system achieves good nitrate removal and has important operation benefits as compared to existing drinking water denitrification systems. This system showed great promise for small community applications. These results are relevant to the drinking water industry, including utilities, engineers, and regulators.
Description:
An innovative N2-sparged heterotrophic denitrification reactor was developed in the lab to select the optimal packing media and compare its treatment and operation performance to a fixed-bed filter. N2 sparging lowers the dissolved oxygen concentration, resulting in a lower acetic acid dose and less biomass. Additionally, it flushes out N2 gas bubbles produced during denitrification. This results in less biofouling, more consistent flow, and longer filter run times. An empty bed, a packed gravel bed, and a bed packed with 1” PVC sections were compared. Packing media allows for higher loading rates, and both gravel and PVC sections are inexpensive, suitable media. The innovative N2-sparged nitrate reduction system shows great promise for small systems.