Performance evaluation of enhanced SBR in simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorous

Background: Simultaneous nitrogen, phosphorous and COD removal in a pilot-scale enhanced Sequencing Batch Reactor (eSBR) was investigated. Methods: The reactor consisted of a pre anoxic zone and internal recycle and was fed with synthetic wastewater. The study was performed by operating the reactor in 6-hour cycles in three different operational modes during a time frame of 279 days. Results: Under the best operational conditions, the average removal rate of COD, TN, and TP were obtained as 93.52, 88.31, and 97.56%, respectively. Conclusions: A significant denitrifying phosphorus removal (more than 80%) occurred at run1 and 3 which started the cycle under anoxic condition.