Denitrification of Ground Water/Waste Water using the Aquacel System

Hall, Peter; Shapiro, Jerry; ,

Denitrification of Ground Water/Waste Water using the Aquacel System

by Peter Hall,
Jerry Shapiro,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: North American Water and Environment Congress & Destructive Water

Abstract:

Within the United States there are vast reserves of ground water which are no longer suitable for drinking because of high concentration (> 10 mg/l NO3-N) nitrates. Furthermore, continued discharge of waste water with high nitrate residuals exacerbates the problem of nitrates in drinking water. EcoFoster Biomaterial, Inc. (EBI) a subsidiary company of Biomaterial Co., Ltd. of Japan has developed a biological based system for removal of nitrates from waste water in a cost effective manner. Biological denitrification is the reduction of nitrates to nitrogen gas in a controlled environment. Traditional biological methods for denitrification have been demonstrated to be effective, but they are costly, due to the long retention time necessary to achieve nitrate removal. The solution to this problem is the immobilization and control of a highly concentrated active bacteria culture to achieve rapid removal of nitrates. EBIs patented Aquacel reactor and carrier utilizes a porous cellulose carrier with a high surface area to provide the necessary growth environment for rapid growth and maintenance of naturally occurring nitrate consuming bacteria. EBI has operated a number of pilot test projects to demonstrate the potential of the processes. These tests have proven the viability of the basic process. Currently EBI is operating a demonstration ground water treatment facility and has received a purchase order for a full scale waste water treatment system. This paper will discuss the results of both the pilot and demonstration test programs.

Return to search