The influence of different substrates on enhanced biological phosphorus removal in a sequencing batch reactor

Abstract

All models of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) define fermentable readily biodegradable substrate, without emphasizing the significance of its composition and the relative importance of different substrates. On the other hand, it is also known that substrates like glucose may be utilized without requiring poly-P energy, a phenomenon which deteriorates the EBPR performance. This paper reports an experimental study evaluating the effect of different organic substrates and their combinations on EBPR, in a sequencing batch reactor. Experimental data show that the EBPR efficiency is significantly affected by the increase of the glucose fraction in the feed, due to the probable dominance of G bacteria. Results of anaerobic batch tests also support this evaluation.