Development of a photo-baffled reactor for microalgae-nitrifying bacteria consortia: Achieving long-term, stable partial nitrification

In this study, a photo-baffled reactor was operated to assess the performance of microalgal-nitrifying bacteria consortia in treating ammonia with its input concentration up 180 mg-N·L−1. The six-compartment reactor, total effective volume 3.2 L, run continuously for 350 days at 30 °C. Overall, 66 ± 11% removed nitrogen loading rate 0.083 0.011 kg-N·m−3·day−1. addition, long-term, stable partial nitrification confirmed nitrite 60 26 mg-N·L−1 effluent. On 200 and 350, due inhibition from nitrite-oxidizing (NOB) activity, dissolved oxygen free recorded as low 0.3–0.7 mg·L−1 14–24 each column, respectively. special configuration created competitive environment between Chlorella vulgaris nitrifying bacteria. microbial community structure retained sludge indicated that although detected only 2–3% upstream, ammonia-oxidizing Nitrosomonas europaea increased downstream reactor. Meanwhile, detection NOB less than 0.05% column based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, growth inhibited. Therefore, these microalgae-nitrifying have potential be novel process post-treatment using anammox process.