US EPA

530673 

Journal Article 

Startup of reactors for anoxic ammonium oxidation: Experiences from the first full-scale anammox reactor in Rotterdam 

van der Star, WRL; Abma, WR; Blommers, D; Mulder, JW; Tokutomi, T; Strous, M; Picioreanu, C; Van Loosdrecht, MCM 

2007 

1 

Water Research
ISSN: 0043-1354
EISSN: 1879-2448 

41 

18 

4149-4163 

English 

17583763 

10.1016/j.watres.2007.03.044 

WOS:000250247800014 

The first full-scale anammox reactor in the world was started in Rotterdam (NL). The reactor was scaled-up directly from laboratory-scale to full-scale and treats up to 750 kg-N/d. In the initial phase of the startup, anammox conversions could not be identified by traditional methods, but quantitative PCR proved to be a reliable indicator for growth of the anammox population, indicating an anammox doubling time of 10-12 days. The experience gained during this first startup in combination with the availability of seed sludge from this reactor, will lead to a faster startup of anammox reactors in the future. The anammox reactor type employed in Rotterdam was compared to other reactor types for the anammox process. Reactors with a high specific surface area like the granular sludge reactor employed in Rotterdam provide the highest volumetric loading rates. Mass transfer of nitrite into the biofilm is limiting the conversion of those reactor types that have a lower specific surface area. Now the first full-scale commercial anammox reactor is in operation, a consistent and descriptive nomenclature is suggested for reactors in which the anammox process is employed. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 

nitrogen removal; reject water treatment; anammox; anaerobic ammonium; oxidation; brocadia anammoxidans; reactor scale-up; quantitative PCR; real-time PCR; biological nitrogen removal; rich waste-water; in-situ detection; oxidizing bacteria; rejection water; sharon process; deammonification; biofilm; contactor; nitritation