Optimizing anammox capacity for weak wastewater in an AnSBBR using aerobic activated sludge as inoculation

Process optimization is essential for improving the efficiency of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process in a practical application. In this study, an sequence biofilm batch reactor (AnSBBR) inoculated with aerobic activated sludge was chosen as efficient mainstream anammox treating low-nitrogen wastewater. To optimize AnSBBR-anammox process, eight different operation stages lasting total 215 days were conducted by regulating key parameters. Principal components analysis revealed significant effects substrate ratio (SR) and volumetric exchange (VER) on performance, while other parameters (cycle time, hydraulic retention time nitrogen loading rate) played minor roles. The highest removal efficiencies ammonia nitrogen, respectively, reached 99.8% 95.3% under optimal conditions. High-throughput sequencing found species Candidatus Brocadia Kuenenia made up much 8.5% 3.5%, microbial community. Redundancy indicated that these taxa also greatly influenced operating parameters, particularly SR VER. This research helps to decode correlations among capacity, community enhance AnSBBR system.