Effect of C/N values on microbial simultaneous removal of carbonaceous and nitrogenous substances in wastewater by single continuous-flow fluidized-bed bioreactor containing porous carrier particles

A single continuous-flow fluidized-bed bioreactor system consisting of porous carrier particles for retaining microbes was constructed to simultaneously remove carbonaceous and nitrogenous substances in wastewater under different C/N (mass ratio) values. The suspended microbial concentration in the bioreactor was extremely low compared with that of retained microbes. A TOC removal of >91% and a maximum total nitrogen removal of 85% were achieved under a moderate C/N value. By using a set of simplified reaction kinetics, the multiple microbial reactions involved in the simultaneous removal process of carbonaceous and nitrogenous components were analyzed. The related kinetic parameters in terms of carbonaceous and nitrogenous loadings were obtained. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.