Reactivation of biocatalysts after long-term storage and startup of the DEAMOX process

Studies of our laboratory have led to elaboration of the DEAMOX (DEnitrifying AMmonia OXidation) technology intended for removal of nitrogen contaminants from wastewater. The DEAMOX process comprises two anaerobic stages implemented by the same sludge biocatalyst, namely, denitratation (conversion of nitrate to nitrite) and anammox reaction (ANaerobic AMmonium nitrogen OXidation by nitrite). The results of reactivation of biocatalysts after their long-term storage (5 and 16 months) and successful startup of the DEAMOX process in two modifications (S- and O-) are described. An S-DEAMOX process was launched using a sludge biocatalyst with restored anammox activity of 20.1 mg N/g VSS/day; this process provided removal of 78% of nitrogen in reactor over 20 days. The launched O-DEAMOX process with the sludge biocatalyst with anammox activity of 6.1 mg N/g VSS/day provided for 87% removal of the total nitrogen compounds over 30 days. Two different electron donors were used at the stage of nitrate conversion to nitrite, namely, an inorganic donor, sulfide (S-DEAMOX), and an organic one, acetate (O-DEAMOX).