Exploring the conversion of tertiary denitrification to mainstream deammonification: Pilot scale filter results and challenges

The nitritation-anammox process holds promise for being more efficient than conventional nitrification-denitrification processes, because it can remove the need for supplemental carbon and significantly reduce the need for oxygen and the production of sludge (by ~60% and 90%, respectively). Despite these advantages, most full-scale applications of anammox have been for sidestreams. Mainstream deammonification (partial nitritation-anammox) is still an emerging technology with many challenges, including: retention of anammox bacteria, competition with heterotrophs such as denitrifiers, low temperatures, and reliable nitritation and DO control.