Process design and dynamics of a series of continuously fed aerated tank reactors treating dairy manure

A 6-month trial was carried out to study operational conditions and process dynamics in a system of six continuously fed aerated tank bioreactors grouped by serial connection. Feedback was with NH3-stripped solution after biological treatment, with the purpose of lowering the NH3 content of the feedback solution in order to improve the process. The fate of carbon and nutrients during treatment were determined, as well as the ammonia stripping performance of the biological treatment. The results of the study confirmed the dynamic nature of the serial system and indicated its resistance to process disturbances. The feedback of slurry resulted in a dilution effect and significantly reduced the carbon and nutrients concentrations in the first tank, increasing the treatment efficiency. Overall, after mechanical separation, low intensity aeration treatment and ammonia stripping, up to 61%, 67%, 79% and 83% average reductions of TS, Ntot, NH4+-N and Ptot, respectively, were reached.