The Effect of Sequential and Simultaneous Supplementation of Waste-Derived Volatile Fatty Acids and Methanol as Alternative Carbon Source Blend for Wastewater Denitrification

Supplementation of alternative carbon sources is a technological bottleneck, particularly in post-denitrification processes due to stringent effluent nitrogen levels. This study focuses on enhancing the sustainability wastewater treatment practices by partially replacing conventionally used fossil-derived methanol with organic waste-derived volatile fatty acids (VFAs) moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs). In this regards, results denitrification batch assays sequential or simultaneous addition VFA from acidogenic fermentation potato starch residue (AD-VFAPPL) and chicken manure (AD-VFACKM), simulated synthetic VFAs solutions (sVFAs), as source were presented discussed. Although has proven superior conversion nitrate nitrite, are more effective when it comes reducing nitrite. solely added AD-VFAPPL had slower capability (0.56 ± 0.13 mgNOx-N removed/m2/day) than (1.04 0.46 removed/m2/day), up 50% can be replaced achieve comparable performance (1.08 0.07 pure methanol. proves that co-addition together fully compete performance, providing promising opportunity for plants potentially reduce their footprint become sustainable practice while benefiting recovered nutrients waste.