Effect of sludge age on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in membrane bioreactor

This study evaluated the effect of sludge age on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a membrane bioreactor treating black water. A membrane bioreactor with no separate anoxic volume was operated at a sludge age of 20 days under low dissolved oxygen concentration of 0.1–0.2 mg/L. Its performance was compared with the period when the sludge age was adjusted to 60 days. Floc size distribution, apparent viscosity, and nitrogen removal differed significantly, together with different biomass concentrations: nitrification was reduced to 40% while denitrification was almost complete. Modelling indicated that both nitrification and denitrification kinetics varied as a function of the sludge age. Calibrated values of half saturation coefficients were reduced when the sludge age was lowered to 20 days. Model simulation confirmed the validity of variable process kinetics for nitrogen removal, specifically set by the selected sludge age.

► MBR sustains nitrogen removal without a separate anoxic reactor volume through SNdN. ► Sludge age sets a floc viscosity which affects mass transfer limitations. ► Mass transfer conditions translate as variable half saturation coefficients. ► Nitrogen removal kinetics significantly vary as a function of the sludge age. ► Nitrogen removal also depends on the level of DO concentration in the reactor.