Upflow anaerobic-microaerobic fixed biofilm reactor integrating methanogenesis with partial nitrification

An anaerobic-microaerobic fixed biofilm (AMFB) reactor, that integrates methanogenesis with partial nitrification within a single unit was investigated to achieve carbon removal simultaneously with ammonium oxidation in dilute wastewater. Membrane aeration was used for a controlled and efficient oxygen supply for partial nitrification and to prevent oxygen related inhibition of methanogens in the AMFB reactor. Removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium oxidation was first tested on synthetic wastewater, followed by domestic wastewater. The COD removal efficiency ranged between 92 and 99% on synthetic wastewater at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8–24 h. Nearly complete removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) was obtained for domestic wastewater. Influent COD was mainly removed by fermentation and methanogenesis, resulting in high methane yields of up to 0.33 LCH4 gCOD−1anaerobic. Ammonium oxidation efficiency of 69–86% was obtained. Microbial community analysis showed proliferation of fermenters and methanogens exclusively in the anaerobic section of the reactor, while aerobic heterotrophs and nitrifiers were mainly identified in the membrane aerated section. This study first proves that the single-stage AMFB reactor can treat municipal wastewater economically to meet the wastewater standards, although further research for improving water quality (e.g., denitrification) would be required.