• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.38-44
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• 2006

Two sulfur-based column reactors inoculated with a bacterial consortium containing autotrophic denitrifiers were operated for 100 and 500 days, respectively and nitrate removal efficiency and the adaptation of microbial communities in the columns were monitored with column depths and time. For better understanding the adaptation phenomenon, molecular techniques including 16S rDNA sequencing and DGGE analysis were employed. Although both columns showed about 99% of nitrate removal efficiency heterotrophic denitrifiers such as Cenibacterium arsenioxidans and Geothrix fermentans were found to a significant portion at the initial stage of the 100-day reactor operation. However, as operation time increased, an autotrophic denitrifier Thiobacillus denitrificans became a dominant bacterial species throughout the column. A similar trend was also observed in the 500-day column. In addition, nitrate removal efficiencies were different with column depths and thus bacterial species with different metabolic activities were found at the corresponding depths. Especially, T. denitrificans was successfully adapted and colonized at the bottom parts of the columns where most nitrate was reduced.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1995-2005
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• 2000

The use of heterotrophic denitrification as an alternative method for supplying alkalinity during sulfur-utilizing autotrophic denitrification was evaluated by examining the effects of external carbon source (both type and concentration) and HRT on denitrification efficiency. Concentrations of $NO_3{^-}-N$ and $COD_{Cr}$ of nitrified landfill leachate used for experiment were 700-900mg/L and 900-2500mg/L. respectively, All experiment was conducted with sulfur packed bed reactors (SPBRs) which were operated at $35^{\circ}C$. The fraction of $NO_3{^-}-N$ removed by heterotrophic denitrification ($HDNR_{fraction}$) to balance the alkalinity consumption by autotrophic denitrification varied with the type of external carbon source. When methanol and sodium acetate was added at theoretical HDNRfraction value. 100% denitrification was achieved without alkalinity addition. However, glucose and molasses require $HDNR_{fraction}$ value greater than theoretical value for complete denitrification. The EBCT and volumetric loading rate at which 100% denitrification efficiency could be achieved were 6.76 h and $2.84kg-NO_3{^-}-N/m^3{\cdot}d$, respectively, based on the fact that 100% denitrification occurred within the bottom 11.5 cm layer of the SPBR. The maximum nitrogen removal rate occurred with 89% removal efficiency at loading rate of $5.05kg-NO_3{^-}-N/m^3{\cdot}d$. However, at short EBCT, clogging of SPBR was observed with excess growth of heterotrophic denitrifiers. This problem may be eliminated by back washing or by separating of heterotrophic denitrification from sulfur-utilizing denitrification.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.231-239
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• 2006

In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of using sulfur-$CaCO_3$ complex pellet in the sulfur oxidizing autotrophic denitrification process for synthetic wastewater with high $CaCO_3$ concentration. The sulfur-$CaCO_3$ complex pellet was packed in reactor(R4). Influent ${NO_3}^--N$ loading rate was from 200 to $1,000g/m^3{\cdot}day$. During the operation, average denitrification efficiency of R4 was above 95%. Particularly, the denitrififation rate at $1,000g/m^3{\cdot}day$ loading was 98.96% for R4. High ${NO_3}^--N$ removal efficiency was determined in R4 compared with other reactors. Through $Ca^{2+}$ and alkalinity analyses, we calculated the supplied alkalinity from the packed $CaCO_3$ in the reactor. Sulfur-$CaCO_3$ complex pellet more effectively supplied alkalinity through the dissociation of $CaCO_3$ as compared with other media. Based on these results, sulfur-$CaCO_3$ complex pellet increased the pH buffering capacity while also providing the carbon source to the denitrifying bacteria. Denitrification efficiency of R4 was also higher than other reactors. ESEM pictures of sulfur-$CaCO_3$ complex pellet show higher porosity than that of the granular sulfur. Hence, more denitrifying bacteria attached on the sulfur-$CaCO_3$ complex pellet than on granular sulfur. It can be concluded that the sulfur-$CaCO_3$ complex pellet is a more suitable media for a sulfur oxidizing autotrophic denitrification process as it provides high denitrification efficiency.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1777-1787
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to select an effective and economical alkali source for sulfur-utilizing autotrophic denitrification. Tests on acid neutralization and denitrification at various alkali/sulfur mixing ratios were performed for charcoal, briquette ashes, sea shell, and limestone. The results of the experiments showed that sea shell was the most effective alkali source because it could provide more surface area than limestone, and the optimal alkali/sulfur mixing ratio was 1/1(V/V). In a sulfur/sea shell packed bed reactor, the denitrification efficiency was above 90% up to a loading rate of 116 g $NO_3{^-}-N/m^3-day$. but the denitrification efficiency deteriorated to 48% at the loading rate of 145 g $NO_3{^-}-N/m^3-day$. The average $SO_4{^{2-}}$ generation per g of $NO_3{^-}-N$ removed was 7.02 g, which is lower than the theoretical value of 7.54 g. Denitrification and sulfate generation appeared to be a first-order and a zero-order reaction with a reaction rate constant of 0.146 /hr and -53.1 mg/L-hr, respectively. According to nitrogen mass balance, 71~109%, with an average of 90%, of the removed nitrogen was recovered as $N_2$ gas.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.851-856
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• 2010

A sulfur utilizing nitrite denitrification process could be placed after the shortcut biological nitrogen removal (SBNR) process. In this study, removal of nitrite using sulfur oxidizing denitrifier was characterized in batch tests with granular elemental sulfur as an electron donor and nitrite as an electro acceptor. At sufficient alkalinity, initial nitrite nitrogen concentration of 100 mg/L was almost completely reduced in the batch reactor within a incubation time of 22 h. Sulfate production with nitrite was 4.8 g ${SO_4}^{2-}/g$ ${NO_2}^-$-N, while with nitrate 13.5 g ${SO_4}^{2-}/g$ ${NO_3}^-$-N. Under the conditions of low alkalinity, nitrite removal was over 95% but 15 h of a lag phase was shown. For nitrate with low alkalinity, no denitrification occurred. Sulfate production was 2.6 g ${SO_4}^{2-}/g$ ${NO_2}^-$-N and alkalinity consumption was 1.2 g $CaCO_3/g$ ${NO_2}^-$. The concentration range of organics used in this experiment did not inhibit autotrophic denitrification at both low and high alkalinity. This kind of method may solve the problems of autotrophic nitrate denitrification, i.e. high sulfate production and alkalinity deficiency, to some extent.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.405-415
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• 2000

Experiments for autotrophic denitrification were performed using an upf10w reac1.or packed with sulfur particles as an electron donor. The influent $NO_3{^-}$-N concentration was kept almost constant, but the hydraulic retention time(HRT) and temperature varied. Results of the research showed that the denitrification efficiency and gas generation rate decreased as the HRT and temperature were reduced. During the HRT effect experiment, alkalinities of 3.44~5.71g, with an average of 4.67 g which is close to the theoretical value of 4.57g were consumed for each gram of $NO_3{^-}$-N removed. During the temperature effect experiment, however, the values were 6.58~13.41 g with an average of 9.12 g which is almost twice the theoretical value Denitrification along the length of the reactor appeared to be a first-order reaction with a reaction rate constant of 0.1648/hr. On the other hand, the sulfate generation showed a zero-order reaction with a reaction rate constant of 241/hr. There was some discrepancy in the nitrogen mass balance between the theoretical and measured values, requiring further researches.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.40-46
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• 2009

The applicability of a well-type autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing reactive barrier (L $\times$ W $\times$ D = $3m\;{\times}\;4\;m\;{\times}\;2\;m$) as a long-term treatment option for nitrate removal in groundwater was evaluated. Pilot-scale (L $\times$ W $\times$ D = $8m\;{\times}\;4\;m\;{\times}\;2\;m$) flow-tank experiments were conducted to examine remedial efficacy of the well-type reactive barrier. A total of 80 kg sulfur granules as an electron donor and Thiobacillus denitrificans as an active bacterial species were prepared. Thiobacillus denitrificans was successfully colonized on the surface of the sulfur granules and the microflora transformed nitrate with removal efficiency of ~12% (0.07 mM) for 11 days, ~24% (1.3 mM) for 18 days, ~45% (2.4 mM) for 32 days, and ~52% (2.8 mM) for 60 days. Sulfur granules attached to Thiobacillus denitrificans were used to construct the well-type reactive barrier comprising three discrete barriers installed at 1-m interval downstream. Average initial nitrate concentrations were 181 mg/L for the first 28 days and 281 mg/L for the next 14 days. For the 181 mg/L (2.9 mM) plume, nitrate concentrations decreased by ~2% (0.06 mM), ~9% (0.27 mM), and ~15% (0.44 mM) after $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, and $3^{rd}$ barriers, respectively. For the 281 mg/L (4.5 mM) plume, nitrate concentrations decreased by ~1% (0.02 mM), ~6% (0.27 mM), and ~8% (0.37 mM) after $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, and $3^{rd}$ barriers, respectively. Nitrate plume was flowed through the flow-tank for 49 days by supplying $1.24\;m^3/d$ of nitrate solution. During nitrate treatment, flow velocity (0.44 m/d), pH (6.7 to 8.3), and DO (0.9~2.8 mg/L) showed little variations. Incomplete destruction of nitrate plume was attributed to the lack of retention time, rarely transverse dispersion, and inhibiting the activity of denitrification enzymes caused by relatively high DO concentrations. For field applications, it should be considered increments of retention time, modification of well placements, and intrinsic DO concentration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.774-781
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• 2011

Nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid are used for acid pickling in zirconium alloy tubing manufacturing process. Nitrate and fluoride in the wastewater were treated by chemical coagulation and SOD (Sulfur Oxidation Denitrification) process. This study is investigated the effect of fluoride concentration and the optimal condition for SOD process. The limited fluoride concentration for SOD process was below 20 mg F-/L. The adjusted pH and alkalinity by NaOH and $NaHCO_3$ was shown to be more effective for removal of nitrate compared with using NaOH. Furthermore, the microbial activator mixed trace elements and ingredient for alkalinity did not only supplement with alkalinity but also enhance the growth and proliferation for sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. As a result, the inorganic industrial wastewater was successfully treated by the microbial activator in SOD process without continuous addition of seed sludge. Finally, SOD process was shown to remove nitrate in industrial wastewater and to contribute the microbial activator for activation of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.855-859
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• 2011

The main pollutants from zirconium alloy tubing manufacturing process in nuclear industry are nitrate ($NO_3-N$) and fluoride (F-)Nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid is used for acid pickling. The process for the removal of nitrate and fluoride is composed of 1st chemical coagulation, SOD (Sulfur Oxidation Denitrification) process using sulfur-oxidizing denitrification, and 2nd chemical coagulation. The characteristic of the wastewater treatment is an application of SOD process. The SOD Process is highly received attention because it is significantly different from existing processes for sulfur denitrification. A JSC (JeonTech-Sulfur- Calcium) Pellet is unification of sulfur and alkalinity material. According to result of SOD process in wastewater treatment plant, the removal efficiency of T-N was over 91% and the average concentration of T-N from influent was 147.55 mg T-N/L and that from effluent was 12.72 mg T-N/L. Therefore, SOD process is a useful to remove nitrogen from inorganic industrial wastewater and a new development of microbial activator was shown to be stable for activation of autotrophic bacteria.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.302-308
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• 2005

Nitrate is one of common contaminants frequently found in the bank filtrate. Biological autotrophic denitrification into permeable reactive barrier(PRB) system to reduce nitrate concentration in bank filtrate was implanted. The objectives of research are to investigate effect of inoculation, to evaluate alternative alkalinity sources, and to determine effect of hydraulic characteristics, such as retention time, flow rate on the performance of semi-pilot PRB system. Semi-pilot scale biological PRB system was installed using elemental sulfur and limestone/oyster shell as reactive materials near Nakdong River in Kyoungnam province, Korea. Nitrate concentration in bank filtrate was reduced by indigenous microorganisms in oyster shell as welt as by inoculating microorganisms isolated from the sludge of an anaerobic digester in a wastewater treatment plant. Oyster shell as well as limestone can be used as an alkalinity source. However, oyster shell resulted in suspended solids of effluent. As the flow rate in the system increased from 66 to 132 mL/min and accordingly the residence time decreased from 15 to 7.5 hours, nitrate concentration in effluent increased and nitrate removal efficiencies decreased from 75 to 58% at the fixed thickness of 80 cm of PRB.