The effect of powdered activated carbon and micronizing treatment on bioflocs nitrification

In order to improve the nitrification ability of bioflocs, powdered activated carbon was added at different concentrations to the mature nitrifying bioflocs, which were divided into groups of G0 (0 mg/L), G10 (10 mg/L), and G50 (50 mg/L). After 7 days of cultivation, the bioflocs were micronized and rapid conversion experiments of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite (NO2-N) were carried out. In addition, the micronized bioflocs were frozen for another 7 days and the rapid transformation experiment was performed again. The results showed that adding 10 mg/L of powdered activated carbon improved the conversion rates of bioflocs to TAN but did not have an apparent effect on the conversion rates of NO2-N. After the bioflocs were micronized, the conversion rate of TAN was significantly improved in all groups. Micronization also significantly improved the NO2-N conversion rate in the G50. After micronization, the bioflocs were frozen at 20 degrees C for one week. Except for G10, there was no significant change in the NO2-N effect after freezing, whereas it significantly reduced the conversion rate of TAN and NO2-N in G0 and G50. This study indicated powdered activated carbon and micronizing treatment could improve the nitrification ability of bioflocs, and additional powdered activated carbon was beneficial for the cryopreservation of bioflocs.

Automated summary

In this study, powdered activated carbon was added to mature nitrifying bioflocs to improve their nitrification ability. Micronization and freezing treatment were also conducted. The results showed that adding 10 mg/L of powdered activated carbon improved the conversion rates of TAN, and micronization and freezing treatment significantly improved the conversion rates in all groups.