Anammox-Based Processes for Mature Leachate Treatment in SBR: A Modelling Study

Mature landfill leachates are characterized by high levels of ammoniacal nitrogen which must be reduced for discharge in the sewer system and further treatment municipal wastewater plants. The use anammox-based processes can allow an efficient ammonium-rich leachates. In this work, two real scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), designed to initially perform partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) simultaneous nitrification denitrification (SPND) urban leachate, were modelled using BioWin 6.0 order enable plant-wide modelling optimizing. constructed models calibrated validated data from long- short-term (one cycle) SBR operation fit well main physical-chemical parameters (i.e., ammonium, nitrite nitrate concentrations) measured during operations. Despite different strategies terms dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations aeration mixing patterns applied operation, allowed understanding that both PN/A process was shown as contributor removal when availability organic carbon low. Indeed, SBRs, activity oxidizing bacteria inhibited due free ammonia, whereas anammox active presence ammonium their ability recover DO inhibition. Increasing external addition, a prompt decrease biomass observed, with SPND becoming mechanism. Models also estimate production rates nitrous oxide aerobic ammonia heterotrophic denitrifiers. found robust tool effects operating conditions (i.e, temperature, cycle phases, concentration, addition) on performances reactors, assessing contribution bacterial groups involved.