• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.235-239
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• 2013

In the present investigation, the efficiency of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) was evaluated for the removal of ammonia-nitrogen from wastewater. Eight different wastewater samples were prepared with varied amounts of $NH_4-N$ concentrations from 15.22 to 205.29 mg/L. Experiments were conducted at pH $7.5{\pm}0.3$, temperature $25^{\circ}C{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, light intensity $100{\mu}E/m^2/s$, and dark-light cycles of 8-16 hr continuously for 8 days. From the results, it was found that $NH_4-N$ was completely removed by C. vulgaris, when the initial concentration was between 5.22-25.24 mg/L. However, only 50% removal was obtained when the $NH_4-N$ concentration was 85.52 mg/L, which further decreased to less than 32% when the $NH_4-N$ concentration exceeded 105.43 mg/L. The further influence of nitrogen on chlorophyll was studied by various $NH_4-N$ concentrations. The maximal value of chlorophyll a (Chl a) content was found to be 19.21 mg/L for 65.79 mg/L $NH_4-N$ concentration, and the maximum specific $NH_4-N$ removal rate of 1.79 mg/mg Chl a/day was recorded at an $NH_4-N$ concentration of 85.52 mg/L. These findings demonstrate that C. vulgaris could potentially be employed for the removal of $NH_4-N$ from wastewater.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: In recent years, several researchers have focused on odour control methods to remove the harmful chemicals from chemical accidents and incidents. The present work deals with the system development of the hazardous. METHODS AND RESULTS: For on-site removal of hazardous gaseous materials from chemical accidents, mobile vortex wet scrubber was designed with water vortex process to absorb the gas into the water. The efficiency of the mobile vortex wet scrubber was evaluated using water spray and 25% ammonia solution. The inlet air velocity (gas flow rate) was according to the damper angle installed within the hood and with increase of gas flow rate, consequently the absorption efficiency was markedly decreased. In particular, when 25% ammonia solution was exposed to the hood inlet for 30 min, the water pH within the scrubber was changed from 7 to 12. Interestingly, although the removal efficiency of ammonia gas exhibited approximately 80% for 5 min, its efficiency in 10 min showed the greatest decrease with 18%. Therefore, our results suggest that the ammonia gas may be absorbed with the driving force of scrubbing water in water vortex process of this scrubber. CONCLUSION: When chemical accidents are occurred, the designed compact scrubber may be utilized as effective tool regarding removal of ammonia gas and other volatile organic compounds in the scene of an accident.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.24-29
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• 2002

Nitrate removal rate in three cattail wetland cells was investigated. They were a part of a pond-wetland system for stream water treatment demonstration. The system was composed of two ponds and six wetland cells. The acreage of each cell was approximately $150m^2$. The earth works for the system were finished from April 2000 to May 2000 and cattails were planted in the three cells in June 2000. Waters of Sinyang Stream flowing into Kohung Estuarine Lake were pumped into a primary pond, whose effluent was discharged into a secondary pond. The reservoir was formed by a tidal marsh reclamation project and located in southern coastal area of Korean Peninsula. Effluents from the secondary pond were funneled into the three cells. Volumes and water quality of inflow and outflow were analyzed from July 2000 through January 2001. Inflow and outflow averaged $20.2m^3/day$ and $19.8m^3/day$, respectively. Hydraulic retention time was about 1.6 days. Average influent and effluent nitrate concentration was $1.98mg/{\ell}$, $1.38mg/{\ell}$, respectively. Nitrate removal rate averaged $82.6mg\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$. Seasonal changes of nitrate retention rates were closely related to those of wetland cell temperatures. The average nitrate removal rate in the cells was a little lower, compared with that of $125.0mg\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$ for the wetlands operating in North America. This could be attributed to the initial stage of the cells and inclusion of three cold months into the seven-month study period. Root rhizosphere in wetland soils and litter-soil layers on cell bottoms could not developed. Increase of standing density of cattails within a few years will establish both root zones suitable for the nitrification of ammonia to nitrates and substrates beneficial to the denitrification of nitrates into nitrogen gases, which may lead to increase of the nitrate retention rate.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.261-271
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• 1997

Ammonia removal capacities of five submerged filter media, 2~3mm sand, 30~50mm gravel, 20~40mm coral sand, polythylene net, and corrugated plastic plate in a seawater recirculating system were tested. A rotating biological contactor (RBC) was also tested for comparison. Oxygen consumption rates were measured along with the ammonia removal efficiencies. The ammonia concentrations in the system were maintained from 0.052 to 0.904 mg/l (mean 0.338$\pm$0.219 mg/l) and the water temperature was ranged from 19.2 to $21.4^{\circ}C\;(mean 20.2^{\circ}C\pm0.58^{\circ}C$). The 1/2-order kinetic model (Y:g/$m^3$/day) and the mean ammonia removal rates (g/$m^3$/day) of the filter media were : Sand : Y=135.5X0.5-25.1(r2=0.8110), 45.1 Coral sand : Y=125.1X0.5-33.0 (r2=0.7307), 31.8 Polyethylene net : Y=87.4X0.5-20.1 (r2=0.6780), 25.2 Corrugated plastic plate : Y=87.4X0.5-20.1(r2=0.5206), 19.2 Gravel : Y=4307X0.5-5.5 (r2=0.2596), 17.1 RBC : Y=127.6X0.5-33.4 (r2=0.7146), 32.8 where X is the concentration of ammonia. Oxygen consumption rates well corresponded to the ammonia removal capacities of each filter medium, thus the sands showing the highest value (442g/$m^3$/day) followed by coral sands (291.1g/$m^3$/day), polyethylene nets (236.9g/$m^3$/day), gravels (135.6g/$m^3$/day) and corrugated plastic plates (134.2g/$m^3$/day). Oxygen consumption rate of the RBC was unable to measure because of the characteristics of the structure.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.1085-1093
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate anoxic-RBC (rotating biological contactor) and its application in advanced municipal wastewater treatment process to remove biologically organics and ammonia nitrogen. Effluent COD and nitrogen concentration increased as the increase of volumetric loading rate. But, the concentration changes of NO$_2$$\^$-/ -N and NO$_3$$\^$-/ -N were little, as compared to COD and NH$_4$$\^$+/ -N. When the volumetric loading rate increased, COD removal efficiency and nitrification appeared very high as 96.7∼98.8% and 92.5∼98.8%, respectively. However, denitrification rate decreased to 76.2∼88.0%. These results showed that the change of volumetric loading rate affected to the denitrification rate more than COD removal efficiency or nitrification rate. The surface loading rates applied to RBC were 0.13～6.0lg COD/㎡-day and 0.312∼1.677g NH$_4$$\^$+/-N㎡-day and they were increased as the increase of volumetric loading rate. However, the nitrification rate showed higher than 90%. The thickness of the biofilm in RBC was 0.130 ∼0.141mm and the density of biofilm was 79.62∼83.78mg/㎤. They were increased as surface loading rate increased. From batch kinetic tests, the k$\_$maxH/ and k$\_$maxN/ were obtained as 1.586 g C/g VSS-day, and 0.276 g N/g VSS-day, respectively. Kinetic constants of denitrifer in anoxic reactor, Y, k$\_$e/, K$\_$s/, and k were 0.678 mg VSS/mg N, 0.0032 day$\^$-1/, 29.0 mg N/l , and 0.108 day$\^$-l/, respectively. P and K$\_$s/, values of nitrification and organics removal in RBC were 0.556 g N/㎡-day and 18.71 g COD/㎡-day, respectively.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.134-142
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• 2006

The treatment of high-strength swine wastewater by anaerobic digestion combined with an aquatic plant system was investigated. Anaerobic digestion of swine wastewater gave volatile solids (VS) removal efficiencies of 43.3%, 52.1% and 54.5% for hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 20, 30, 40 days, respectively. The removal efficiencies of VS, total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) decreased with increasing VS volumetric loading rate (VLR). Higher organic removal efficiency was observed at longer HRTs for the same VS volumetric loading rate. As VS volumetric loading rate increased, biogas production increased and the methane content of the biogas decreased. Experiments using duckweed (Lemna species) as an aquatic macrophyte gave the following results. In the case of nitrogen, removal efficiency was above 60% and effluent concentration was below 10.0 mg/L when the influent ammonia-N loading was about $1.0\;g/m^2/day$. In the case of phosphorus, removal efficiency was above 55% and effluent concentration was below 2.0 mg/L when the influent $PO_4$-P loading was about $0.15\;g/m^2/day$. In addition, crude protein and phosphorus content of duckweed biomass increased from 15.6% to 41.6% and from 0.8% to 1.6%, respectively, as the influent nutrient concentration increased. The treatment of high-strength swine wastewater by anaerobic digestion combined with an aquatic plant system offers good performance in terms of organics and nutrient removal for relatively low operation and maintenance costs. The results indicate that under appropriate operational conditions, the effluent quality is within the limits set by Korean discharge criteria.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.563-571
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate the high strength ammonia oxidation of piggery wastewater. Laboratory scale reactors was operated using influent of piggery wastewater and effluent of anaerobic digester from piggery wastewater at $35^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. Results of various operating conditions were compared and analyzed. After analyzing the results, effluent of anaerobic digester from piggery wastewater required shorter Solid retention time (SRT) than influent of piggery wastewater. In terms of the temperature, stable ammonia removal and denitrification was achieved on the both of the condition. At the temperature of $35^{\circ}C$, nitrite conversion rate was better than $20^{\circ}C$. It can be concluded that treating the piggery wastewater using anaerobic digester on the condition of the temperature at $35^{\circ}C$ is more efficient on the nitritation of the piggery wastewater.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2018

$17{\alpha}-ethinylestradiol$ (EE2), a synthetic estrogen which interfere the endocrine and reproductive function in living organisms, has been found extensively to be deposited into municipal wastewater treatment plants and the environment via human excretion. EE2 has long been known to be efficiently cometabolized by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) during ammonia ($NH_3$) oxidation. Current study aims to investigate the effect of culture history on the biotransformation of EE2 by nitrifying sludge which was enriched under different ammonia loading rates in continuous flow reactors. Result showed that past growth condition largely affected not only the metabolic rate of $NH_3$ oxidation but also EE2 cometabolism. Sludge previously acclimated with higher $NH_3$ loads as well as sludge dominated with AOB belong to high growth cluster (Nitrosomonas europaea-Nitrosococcus mobilis) showed higher rate of EE2 biotransformation than those one being acclimated with lower $NH_3$ loads because of its ability to provide more reducing power from $NH_3$ oxidation. Moreover, the correlation between the degradation rates of $NH_3$ and EE2 was higher in sludge being acclimated with higher load of $NH_3$ in comparison with other sludge. Implication of the findings emphasized the role of volumetric $NH_3$ loading rate in determining EE2 removal in wastewater treatment system.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.230-237
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• 1996

The objective of the present study is to evaluate organic removal efficiencies, nitrogen removal efficiencies, kinetic constant, sludge production rates, oxygen requirements, and optimum treatment renditions for recycling water treatment of aquaculture by using a trickling filter process. When the loading rates were $0.500\~0.082kg\;COD/m^3/day$ and $0.271\~0.044kg\;NH_4^+-N/m^3/day$, SCOD and ammonia removal efficiencies were $74.5\~84.0\%$ and $43.7\~61.8\%$, respectively. The maximum removal rate of ammonia was 119.5 mg/L/day. Observed cell yield coefficient in the trickling filter reactor was 0.572 kg VSS/kg $BOD_{rem}$. When the hydraulic loading rate was $6.712\~40.341m^3/m^2/day$, oxygen uptake rate was $1.33\~7.22\;mg\;O_2/L/hr$.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.132-140
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• 1998

Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted using a three-stage rotating biological contactor unit followed by lime precipitation and sedimentation with effluent recycle to the first stage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydraulic loadings of 0.031-0.076 $m^3/m^2/d and recycle ratio of 1 to 3 on the simultaneous removal of organics and nutrients from domestic wastewater. Lime was added to maintain pH of 10.4-11.0 in the coagulation-flocculation reactor. Results showed that the highest nitrogen removal rate of 70.5% occurred at the lower hydraulic loading of 0.031 $m^3/m^2/d at a recirculation rate of 300%, and similarly, highest nitrification occurred at the same hydraulic loading and recycle ratio. Concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the effluent was less than 1 mg/l at the same operating conditions for higher nitrogen removal. Whereas, high BOD and COD removal was observed at hydraulic loading rate of 0.054 $m^3/m^2/d, and high removal of organic matter was evident from the consistent low COD and BOD value. Results obtained from the operating condition of higher loading rate, 300% of recycle rate showed the highest removals. Increasing in recycle rate and hydraulic loading rate increased the volatile solids fraction of the sludges generated to the extent of 47% at 0.076 $m^3/m^2/d hydraulic loading and 300% recirculation rate. Since pH in the flocculator was maintained at the pH of 10.4-11.0, above 90% removal of phosphorus was obtained. Average concentration of suspended solids was always maintained over 40 mg/l in the effluent. Therefore an RBC unit operating at a hydraulic loading near 0.031 $m^3/m^2/d with a recycle rate of 300% is a viable and feasible alternate conditions to produce an effluent with relative low organic matter and phosphorus, provided that there is a neutralization unit to control the pH and SS of the effluent.