Ammonia removal from thermal hydrolysis dewatering liquors via three different deammonification technologies

The benefits of deammonification to remove nitrogen from sidestreams, i.e., sludge dewatering liquors, in municipal wastewater treatment plants are well accepted. ammonia removal liquors originated thermal hydrolysis/anaerobic digestion (THP/AD) deemed challenging. Many different commercial technologies have been applied varying reactor design, biomass growth form and instrumentation control strategy. Four were tested (a suspended sequencing batch (S-SBR), a moving bed biofilm (MEDIA), granular (G-SBR), nitrification (N-SBR)). All relied on distinct strategies that actuated the feed flow leading range loading rates. Periods poor performance displayed by all related imbalances chain reactions subsequently effecting both load removal. S-SBR was most robust, not presenting these imbalances. G-SBR presented highest rates (NRR) 0.58 0.56 kg N m ?3 d ?1 , respectively. MEDIA N-SBR an NRR 0.17 0.07 This study demonstrated stable THP/AD did observe toxicity tested. It identified strategy main contributor enabled higher stability NRR. Overall, this provides support selecting suitable biological technology for THP/AD. • had no impact technologies. Instrumentation major performance. Free inhibition mainly caused extreme pH values >8.0.