Biological nutrient removal from leachate using a pilot liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed bioreactor (LSCFB)

Biological treatment of landfill leachate is a concern due to toxicity, high ammonia, low biodegradable organic matter concentrations, and low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. To study the reliability and commercial viability of leachate treatment using an integrated liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed bioreactor (LSCFB), a pilot-scale LSCFB was established at the Adelaide Pollution Control Plant, London, Ontario, Canada. Anoxic and aerobic columns were used to optimize carbon and nutrient removal capability from leachate using 600 μm lava rock with a total porosity of 61%, at empty bed contact times (EBCTs) of 0.55, 0.49, and 0.41 d. The LSCFB achieved COD, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal efficiencies of 85%, 80%, and 70%, respectively at a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 3:1 and nutrients loading rates of 2.15 kg COD/(m3 d), 0.70 kg N/(m3 d), and 0.014 kg P/(m3 d), as compared with 60-77% COD and 70-79% nitrogen removal efficiencies achieved by upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and moving bed bioreactor (MBBR), respectively. The LSCFB effluent characterized by ≤35 mg SBOD/L, <35 mg NH4-N/L, <1.0 mg PO4-P/L, and 37 mg VSS/L can easily meet sewer by-law requirements. Remarkably low yields of 0.13, 0.15, and 0.16 g VSS/g COD were observed at long biological solids retention times (SRTs) of 31, 38 and 44 d.