RSMBR · Engineering aspects and mechanisms of redox-stratified membrane bioreactors for completely autotrophic nitrogen removal from wastewater

Novel redox-stratified membrane bioreactors (RSMBRs) will be developed for completely autotrophic nitrogen removal from wastewater. This technology is based on simultaneous nitritation and anaerobic ammonium oxidization (anammox) occurring in redox-stratified counter-diffusion biofilms grown on the surface of gas-permeable membrane. With precise control of the oxygen supply flux, the growth of nitrite oxidizing bacteria will be inhibited. A stable redox-stratified counter-diffusion biofilm with aerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AeAOB) dominant in the inner side and anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) located in the outside surface will be achieved. The research work will include four parts: (1) to examine the operational strategy and investigate the performance of RSMBRs in nitrogen removal from synthetic and practical wastewaters; (2) to analyze the ecological structure in biofilms using genetic techniques; (3) to study the nitrite reaction kinetics in RSMBRs using DO and nitrite microsensors; and (4) to simulate RSMBRs in nitrogen removal from wastewater by using mathematical modelling. Being highly multidisciplinary, this project will: (1) generate novel membrane bioreactors for the protection of health and the environment and lead to fundamental understanding of the nitritation/anammox process, all resulting in increasing European competitiveness; (2) increase the long-term research capacity and multidisciplinary activities at the EU and the host group, which is located in a less-favored region of the EU; (3) establish strong international research links and contacts between the host group and other research groups in the EU and China; (4) benefit the applicant’s research career by training him with specialized facilities, advanced techniques and multidisciplinary knowledge in the host organization; and (5) contribute to the environment protection in China by transfer of knowledge and human capacity building.