Nitrification is currently the most common means of ammonia removal from wastewaters in temperate climates. In conventional suspended growth systems operating in northern climate regions, nitrification completely ceases at temperatures below 8°C. This is a considerable concern in passive treatment systems where wastewater temperatures can reach as low as 1°C for extended periods in the winter months. There is evidence biofilm technologies have the ability to nitrify at low temperatures, however, the literature is missing an understanding of low temperature nitrification and the subsequent impacts during seasonal changes. Additionally, there is an urgent need to gain a fundamental knowledge of the interplay between nitrifying performance optimization, biofilm morphology and the microbiome. This research aims to fill these needs using nitrifying moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) at the lab and pilot scale. This research concluded the most important factor determining MBBR carrier selection is a combination of surface area and pore space size. Although high surface area to volume carriers are attractive, the propensity to clog at high loading rates significantly decreases the removal rates. The viability of the biomass and ammonia oxidizing bacterial communities were not significantly changed, indicating the ammonia removal rates were reduced due to loss of surface area in the clogged carriers. Operation at 1°C demonstrated significant rates of nitrification can be attained and stable for extended periods of operation. This study developed the first kinetic curve at 1°C with a maximum removal rate of 0.35 gN/m2·d. The performance of the post carbon removal nitrifying MBBR systems were shown to be enhanced at 1°C by an increase in the viable embedded biomass as well as thicker biofilm. This effectively increased the number of viable cells present during low temperature operation, which partially compensated for the significant decrease in rate of ammonia removal per nitrifying cell. At all studied loading rates at 1°C, the ammonia oxidizing bacteria were primarily in the family Nitrosomonadaceae (greater than 95 percent abundance of AOB population) and the nitrite oxidizing bacteria were primarily the genus Nitrospira (greater than 99 percent abundance of NOB population). Operation at 20°C demonstrated high rates of removal in high loaded condition and robustness in extreme low loaded conditions. In both high loaded and extreme low loaded conditions the viability of the nitrifying biomass was sustained, with the family Nitrosomonadaceae as the primary ammonia oxidizing bacteria and the genus Nitrospira as the primary nitrite oxidizing bacteria. In extreme low loaded conditions and as well during start-up phases there are high prevalence of bacteria not directly related to the nitrification process. Their presence however indicates a dynamic process with changes in microbial composition within the biofilm matrix in response to varying conditions. Change in microbial composition likely helps stabilize and maintain the biofilm matrix enhancing process robustness in the temperate climates. The new knowledge gained in this research optimizes the operation of nitrifying MBBR systems and elucidates the impacts of operational conditions on the biofilm and microbial community of nitrifying MBBR systems to further our understanding of nitrifying attached growth treatment technologies. The results of this study are anticipated to be used to design the first MBBR treatment system for year round ammonia removal in passive treatment systems located in northern climate regions.

Wastewater treatment plays significant role in the environmental protection. The process has direct impact on quality of air and water. All treated sewage reaches fresh water reservoirs as well as gasses escaping from the process are emitted to the atmosphere. Main aim of the thesis is to determine N2O emissions from partial nitritation/Anammox (deammonification process) in one-stage system applied in MBBR technology. Whole project was operated successfully on two pilot-scale reactors parallel, fed by the same reject water. Both reactors were filled to capacity of 200 L each, where 40% of the working volume was fulfilled by Kaldnes carriers suspended in liquid by mechanical stirrer. First reactor (R1) presented strategy of intermittent aeration with ratio (R=1/3) and stable DO concentration at amount of 1.5 mg O2/L, whereas second one (R2) operated in constant aeration with variable values of dissolved oxygen which differ in range of 1.0-2.5 mg O2/L. Every week analyses of ammonium and nitrogen forms were carried out in influent and effluent by Hach-Lange cuvettes. Results of measurements showed high NH4+-N removal efficiency of approximately 95% for R1 reactor and 86% for R2. During the process, the continuous measurement of nitrous oxide in gaseous and liquid phase was performed by Teledyne data logger and Unisense microsensor. Measurements during 4 months resulted in assessment of nitrous oxide emission tendency dependent on aeration system. The result from reactor R1 showed that 1.0-2.4% of N-load was emitted as N2O to the atmosphere, and 0.05-0.28% was released as dissolved N2O in outgoing water. Regarding reactor R2 tendency of nitrous oxide production is similar. Estimated emission of N2O in gaseous phase in reactor R2 is 1.4-2.0% of nitrogen load and 0.02-0.39% in liquid phase. All gathered results are shown in the appendix of the paper.

<p>QC 20140527</p>

Vätgas tar en allt större plats i den gröna omställningen inom gruv- och stålindustrin vilket initiativtagande projekt såsom Hybrit och H2 Green Steel bevisat. Vätgas framställs ofta från fossila bränslen vilket genererar koldioxidutsläpp men om produktionen istället sker med elektricitet från förnybara energikällor anses tillverkningen förnybar. Exempel på sådana produktionsmetoder är alkalisk elektrolys och Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) vilka är de två metoder som utvärderats i denna rapport. Dock blir en stor del av den konsumerade elektriciteten till spillvärme där 20% anses användbar. Spillvärmen är lågvärdig med temperaturer på 75°C för alkalisk elektrolys och 50°C för PEM vilket medför att det är svårt att hitta användningsområden för den. Därför har syftet med projektet varit att undersöka vilka användningsområden som spillvärmen kan få avsättning för samt bedöma lönsamheten för dessa. De mängder spillvärme som undersöktes var 1, 3, 5, 7 och 9 MW.  Användningsområdena som undersöktes var generering av elektricitet, generering av kyla, gruvventilation, vattenrening, växthus, energilagring samt kombination av användningsområden. För att erhålla information om teknologier på marknaden gällande generering av elektricitet och kyla samt växthus kombinerades litteraturstudier med marknadsundersökningar. För gruvventilationen, vattenreningen och energilagringen konstruerades beräkningsmodeller i Excel för att samla resultat för analys.  Det var möjligt att generera elektricitet och kyla med spillvärmen från alkalisk elektrolys. Det var inte lönsamt att generera elektricitet medan lönsamheten för att generera kyla inte gick att bestämma. Gruvventilationen hade kort återbetalningstid för värmeväxlaren vid små mängder spillvärme och luftflödet 100 m3/s medan högre luftflöden gav en ökad årlig reducerad energikostnad och därmed kortare återbetalningstid. Stora mängder spillvärme kunde värma vattnet för vattenreningen från 4°C till 15°C under hela året men lönsamheten för vattenreningen kunde inte bedömas på grund av brist på information angående kostnader. Rapporter visade att det var möjligt att utnyttja spillvärme från datacenter för att värma växthus vilket innebar att det borde vara möjligt med spillvärme från vätgasproduktion. Energiförlusterna och temperatursänkningarna för energilagren var små vilket visade att det var möjligt att lagra energi från spillvärmen under perioder när den inte användes. Dock var det osäkert ifall det var lönsamt eller inte. Den mest intressanta kombinationen av användningsområden var gruvventilation och vattenrening eftersom deras maximala energibehov inträffade olika tider på året.  Flera områden bedömdes som potentiella användningsområden för spillvärmen. Dock behöver ytterligare studier utföras, speciellt gällande lönsamheten för områdena. / Recently, hydrogen has gotten more attention in the green transition within the mining- and steel industry which projects like Hybrit and H2 Green Steel have proven. Hydrogen is often created from fossil fuels which generate carbon dioxide emissions but if the production of hydrogen is instead powered by renewable energy sources, it can be considered sustainable. Alkali electrolysis and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) are two examples of such processes and they are the methods that have been investigated in this report. However, a large portion of the consumed electricity is rejected as waste heat where 20% is considered usable. It is low grade waste heat with temperatures of 75°C for alkali electrolysis and 50°C for PEM which makes it difficult to recover and use. Therefore, the aim of this project has been to investigate the potential areas in which waste heat can be utilized as well as the profitability of them. The amounts of waste heat investigated were 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 MW. The investigated areas of utilization were generation of electricity, generation of cold, mining ventilation, water cleaning, greenhouses, energy storage and combination of different areas. A literature study was combined with researching the market to gather information about existing technologies on the market for generation of electricity and cold as well as greenhouses. Calculation models were created in Excel for mining ventilation, water cleaning and energy storage to gather results for analysis. It was possible to generate electricity and cold with waste heat from alkali electrolysis. It was not profitable to generate electricity while the profitability for generating cold could not be determined. The mining ventilation had a short payback time for the heat exchanger at low amounts of waste heat with an air flow of 100 m3/s while higher air flows resulted in an increase of the yearly reduced energy cost and therefore a shorter payback time. Large amounts of waste heat could heat the water to the water cleaning from 4°C to 15°C during the whole year but the profitability remained undetermined due to lack of information regarding costs. Reports showed that it was possible to utilize waste heat from data centers for heating greenhouses which implies that it should be possible to use waste heat from hydrogen production for the same application. The energy losses and temperature reduction for the energy storages were small which showed that it was possible to store energy from the waste heat during periods when it was not used. However, it was unsure if it was profitable or not. The most interesting combination of utilization areas was mining ventilation with water cleaning since their maximal heating demand occurred at different times during the year. Several areas were assessed as potential areas of utilization for the waste heat. However, more studies need to be conducted, especially regarding the profitability for the utilization areas.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are known spreaders of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment. Luleå University of Technology is conducting a yearlong study in which PFAS concentrations in the different treatment steps are measured at Uddebo treatment plant. This report covers the first four months of the year-long study. The aims of this study are to see what happens with the PFAS concentrations in the treatment processes, if they are above regulated limits, and to see if concentrations at Uddebo are comparable toreference concentrations in Sweden. Sampled PFAS concentrations were taken once per fortnight in incoming wastewater, after primary sedimentation, after Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR), after secondary sedimentation and after the pilot treatment plant containing granulated active carbon (GAC) filter when it was in use. Precursors in incoming wastewater and PFAS in sludge were measured in samples taken once per month. Comparing the 33 analysed PFAS in wastewater at each sampling point, 30 analysed precursors for PFAS in incoming wastewater and 30 analysed PFAS in sludge, only PFOS and PFOA wereregularly found in both wastewater and in outgoing sludge. This indicates a separation of PFAS in the different medium, with sludge having PFAS where the perfluorinated carbon chain length is grater than 6. Out of the analysed 33 PFAS in wastewater PFOA had the highest median concentration of about 7 ng/l with no significant variation between the wastewater sample points. Similarly, the median concentration of total detected 33 PFAS was around 35 ng/l with no significant variation between the wastewater sample points, indicating no significant treatment of measured PFAS during WWTP. This was also comparable to other WWTP in Sweden. PFBA, PFHxA and PFPeA precursors had the highest concentration of the measured 30 PFAS precursors, however, except for one sampling occasion, no significant deviation in precursor PFAS could be detected during the sampling period. Out of the 30 analysed PFAS in outgoing sludge, PFOS had the highest concentration of 6.8 μg/kg dry weight (dw), but no discernible pattern could be identified between sampling dates due to too few samples. PFOS was foundabove the recommended concentration for sensitive land use (3.0 μg/kg dw), but still within recommendations for less sensitive land use (20.0 μg/kg dw) in Sweden. The median concentration of 13.6 μg/kg dw measured PFAS in sludge makes it well below median Swedish concentration. However, all comparisons to other Swedish WWTPs and background concentrations in Sweden were based on a few studies with few samples, potentially increasing or decreasing the median concentration as more research is conducted.

Moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) have been used effectively to reach low nutrient levels in northern Europe for nearly 20 years at cold temperatures. A relatively new technology to the US, the MBBR has most typically been used in a post-denitrification configuration with methanol for additional nitrate removal. Methanol has clearly been the most commonly used external carbon source for post-denitrification processes due to low cost and effectiveness. However, with the requirement for more US wastewater treatment plants to reach effluent total nitrogen levels approaching 3 mg/L, alternative electron donors could promote more rapid MBBR startup/acclimation times and increased cold weather denitrification rates. Bench-scale MBBRs evaluating four different electron donor sources, specifically methanol, ethanol, glycerol, and sulfide (added as Na2S), were operated continuously at 12 °C, and performance was monitored by weekly sampling and insitu batch substrate limiting profile testing. Ethanol and glycerol, though visually exhibited much higher biofilm carrier biomass content, performed better than methanol in terms of removal rate (0.9 and 1.0 versus 0.6 g N/m²/day.) Maximum denitrification rate measurements from profile testing suggested that ethanol and glycerol (2.2 and 1.9 g N/m²/day, respectively) exhibited rates that were four times that of methanol (0.49 g N/m²/day.) Sulfide also performed much better than any of the other three electron donors with maximum rates at 3.6 g N/m²/day and with yield (COD/NO₃-N) that was similar to or slightly less than that of methanol. Overall, the yield and carbon utilization rates were much lower than expected for all four electron donors and much lower than previously reported; indicating that there could be advantages for attached growth versus suspended growth processes in terms of carbon utilization rates. The batch limiting NO₃-N and COD profiles were also used to find effective K_s values. These kinetic parameters describe NO₃-N and COD limitations into the biofilm, which affect the overall denitrification rates. Compared to the other electron donors, the maximum rate for methanol was quite low, but the estimated K_s value was also low (0.4 mg/L N). This suggests high NO₃-N affinity and low mass transfer resistance. The other three electron donors estimated higher K_s values, indicating that these biofilms have high diffusion resistance. Biofilm process modeling is more complex than for mechanistic suspended growth, since mass transfer affects substrate to and into the biofilm. Simulating the bench-scale MBBR performance using BioWin 3.0, verified that μ_max and boundary layer thickness play key roles in determining rates of substrate utilization. Adjustments in these parameters made it possible to mimic the MBBRs, but it is difficult to determine whether the differences are due to the MBBR process or the model. / Master of Science

O tratamento do lodo gerado em estações de tratamento de água para abastecimento (ETAs) é uma questão a ser equacionada em todo o território nacional. O tratamento desses lodos em estações de tratamento de esgoto (ETEs) é uma alternativa a ser estudada, pois pode levar a uma solução eficaz e de custos reduzidos se compararmos aos custos de implantação e operação de um sistema de tratamento de lodos nas próprias ETAs. O recebimento de lodo de ETAs em ETEs é feito em algumas ETEs dos Estados Unidos, porém no Brasil ainda são escassos estudos específicos para sanar as questões técnicas envolvidas tanto na etapa aeróbia quanto na anaeróbia. O sistema de tratamento de esgotos por lodos ativados utilizando mídia plástica como meio suporte ao crescimento microbiológico é outro atrativo ao recebimento de lodo de ETA em uma ETE, visto que estudos demonstram que este tipo de variante é capaz de tratar maior carga orgânica, sem sofrer qualquer inibição de processo. O presente estudo avaliou o recebimento de até 400 mg de SST de lodo de ETA por litro de esgoto em um sistema utilizando mídia plástica como meio suporte. O lodo de ETA utilizado foi proveniente de sistemas que utilizaram sais de Ferro e de Alumínio em seus processos. Não foi observada qualquer inibição no processo aeróbio quanto à remoção de matéria orgânica ou nitrogenada com o recebimento de lodo de ETA em qualquer concentração e operando um sistema com mídia plástica. A carga de DBO5,20 aplicada ao reator biológico ficou entre 1,7 a 15,3 gDBO5,20/m²/dia, e a concentração média da DBO 5,20 no efluente final esteve em todo o período do experimento em 34 mg/L. Com a utilização da mídia plástica o processo de nitrificação teve taxas de remoção passando de 0,9 gNKT/m²/dia para 1,7 gNKT/m²/dia, portanto aumento de 95%. A avaliação do lodo gerado no decantador primário da ETE Piloto demonstra que houve alteração em sua composição, principalmente na relação de SV/ST e o aumento na concentração de metais, principalmente o elemento Ferro. Estas características podem levar à inibição o processo anaeróbio. O teste de Atividade Metanogênica Especifica (AME) realizada com dosagens de 0,4 g e 0,8 g de ST de lodo de ETA demonstra que há inibição da metanogênese para concentrações acima de 0,4 g de ST. A concentração na qual não se observou efeito negativo corresponde a 10% da quantidade mássica que o digestor anaeróbio foi alimentado. Porém o teste de AME reproduz toxicidade aguda, não considerando a possível adaptação que pode ocorrer ou mesmo demonstrar que um esgoto que, em primeira análise é considerado biodegradável, tem na realidade toxicidade crônica. A operação do sistema utilizando mídia plástica levou a uma redução na produção de lodo na ordem de 57%. Antes da maturação do biofilme a produção era de 0,19 g SSV/g DQO removida e passou para 0,09 g SSV/g DQO removida. / An issue to be taken into account, regarding the continental size of the country is the sludge treatment generated in water treatment plants (WTPs). The treatment of the aforementioned sludge which is held in water treatment plant (WWTP) is a valid alternative considering its costs and efficacy as opposed to the budgetary considerations for the sludge treatment in the WTPs alone. The recipience of the sludge from WTP into WWTPs, is done by some North Americans WWTPs, in Brazil, nonetheless, such specific studies are of short supply to heal the technical questions regarding both the anaerobic and also the aerobic processes. The activated sludge operational swage system with plastic medium as means to aid the microbiologic development, also entices the reception of sludge from WTP into WWTPs, given the fact that some studies have demonstrated this variant type capable of treating a much bigger organic load not even suffering any inhibition over the process. This current study evaluated the reception of a sum up to 400 mg (milligrams) of sludge TSS by sewage liter in a plastic medium as means to aid such process. The sludge from WTP used in here came from systems which utilized Iron and aluminum salt in their processes. Any inhibition regarding the removal of organic or nitrogenated matter in the aerobic process operated with the plastic medium system with the reception of sludge from WTP was observed and/or noticed The BOD5,20 charge which was applied to the biological reactor ranked between 1,7 to 15,3 gDBO5,20/m²/day, and the BOD5,20 average concentration into the final effluent was all the time the experiment was going on in 34 mg/L. Regarding the usage of plastic medium over the nitrification process, removal which jumped from 0,9 gNKT/m²/day to 1,7 gNKT/m²/day, thus an increase of 95%. The evaluation of the sludge generated from the WWTPs primary settling tank demonstrates alteration in its composition, mainly related to VS/TS and the metal concentration augmentation, iron being the most present element in here. Such characteristics may lead to an inhibition regarding the anaerobic process. The specific methanogenic activity (SMA) taking into account the dosages: 0, 4 g and 0, 8 g of TS sludge from WTP shows methanogenesis inhibition for concentrations superior to 0, 4 g of TS. 10% of mass quantity is the amount which no negative effect was noticed when feeding the anaerobic digestor. The SMA test, however, reproduces acute toxicity, not taking into account the possible adaptation that may occur or even demonstrate that the sewage which at first instance could be considered biodegradable is in its real sense chronically toxic. The activated sludge operating with plastic medium has lead the sludge production to reduction of around 57%, before the biofilm maturation the production was 0,19 g VSS/g COD removed and it was upgraded to 0,09 g VSS/g COD removed.

O tratamento do lodo gerado em estações de tratamento de água para abastecimento (ETAs) é uma questão a ser equacionada em todo o território nacional. O tratamento desses lodos em estações de tratamento de esgoto (ETEs) é uma alternativa a ser estudada, pois pode levar a uma solução eficaz e de custos reduzidos se compararmos aos custos de implantação e operação de um sistema de tratamento de lodos nas próprias ETAs. O recebimento de lodo de ETAs em ETEs é feito em algumas ETEs dos Estados Unidos, porém no Brasil ainda são escassos estudos específicos para sanar as questões técnicas envolvidas tanto na etapa aeróbia quanto na anaeróbia. O sistema de tratamento de esgotos por lodos ativados utilizando mídia plástica como meio suporte ao crescimento microbiológico é outro atrativo ao recebimento de lodo de ETA em uma ETE, visto que estudos demonstram que este tipo de variante é capaz de tratar maior carga orgânica, sem sofrer qualquer inibição de processo. O presente estudo avaliou o recebimento de até 400 mg de SST de lodo de ETA por litro de esgoto em um sistema utilizando mídia plástica como meio suporte. O lodo de ETA utilizado foi proveniente de sistemas que utilizaram sais de Ferro e de Alumínio em seus processos. Não foi observada qualquer inibição no processo aeróbio quanto à remoção de matéria orgânica ou nitrogenada com o recebimento de lodo de ETA em qualquer concentração e operando um sistema com mídia plástica. A carga de DBO5,20 aplicada ao reator biológico ficou entre 1,7 a 15,3 gDBO5,20/m²/dia, e a concentração média da DBO 5,20 no efluente final esteve em todo o período do experimento em 34 mg/L. Com a utilização da mídia plástica o processo de nitrificação teve taxas de remoção passando de 0,9 gNKT/m²/dia para 1,7 gNKT/m²/dia, portanto aumento de 95%. A avaliação do lodo gerado no decantador primário da ETE Piloto demonstra que houve alteração em sua composição, principalmente na relação de SV/ST e o aumento na concentração de metais, principalmente o elemento Ferro. Estas características podem levar à inibição o processo anaeróbio. O teste de Atividade Metanogênica Especifica (AME) realizada com dosagens de 0,4 g e 0,8 g de ST de lodo de ETA demonstra que há inibição da metanogênese para concentrações acima de 0,4 g de ST. A concentração na qual não se observou efeito negativo corresponde a 10% da quantidade mássica que o digestor anaeróbio foi alimentado. Porém o teste de AME reproduz toxicidade aguda, não considerando a possível adaptação que pode ocorrer ou mesmo demonstrar que um esgoto que, em primeira análise é considerado biodegradável, tem na realidade toxicidade crônica. A operação do sistema utilizando mídia plástica levou a uma redução na produção de lodo na ordem de 57%. Antes da maturação do biofilme a produção era de 0,19 g SSV/g DQO removida e passou para 0,09 g SSV/g DQO removida. / An issue to be taken into account, regarding the continental size of the country is the sludge treatment generated in water treatment plants (WTPs). The treatment of the aforementioned sludge which is held in water treatment plant (WWTP) is a valid alternative considering its costs and efficacy as opposed to the budgetary considerations for the sludge treatment in the WTPs alone. The recipience of the sludge from WTP into WWTPs, is done by some North Americans WWTPs, in Brazil, nonetheless, such specific studies are of short supply to heal the technical questions regarding both the anaerobic and also the aerobic processes. The activated sludge operational swage system with plastic medium as means to aid the microbiologic development, also entices the reception of sludge from WTP into WWTPs, given the fact that some studies have demonstrated this variant type capable of treating a much bigger organic load not even suffering any inhibition over the process. This current study evaluated the reception of a sum up to 400 mg (milligrams) of sludge TSS by sewage liter in a plastic medium as means to aid such process. The sludge from WTP used in here came from systems which utilized Iron and aluminum salt in their processes. Any inhibition regarding the removal of organic or nitrogenated matter in the aerobic process operated with the plastic medium system with the reception of sludge from WTP was observed and/or noticed The BOD5,20 charge which was applied to the biological reactor ranked between 1,7 to 15,3 gDBO5,20/m²/day, and the BOD5,20 average concentration into the final effluent was all the time the experiment was going on in 34 mg/L. Regarding the usage of plastic medium over the nitrification process, removal which jumped from 0,9 gNKT/m²/day to 1,7 gNKT/m²/day, thus an increase of 95%. The evaluation of the sludge generated from the WWTPs primary settling tank demonstrates alteration in its composition, mainly related to VS/TS and the metal concentration augmentation, iron being the most present element in here. Such characteristics may lead to an inhibition regarding the anaerobic process. The specific methanogenic activity (SMA) taking into account the dosages: 0, 4 g and 0, 8 g of TS sludge from WTP shows methanogenesis inhibition for concentrations superior to 0, 4 g of TS. 10% of mass quantity is the amount which no negative effect was noticed when feeding the anaerobic digestor. The SMA test, however, reproduces acute toxicity, not taking into account the possible adaptation that may occur or even demonstrate that the sewage which at first instance could be considered biodegradable is in its real sense chronically toxic. The activated sludge operating with plastic medium has lead the sludge production to reduction of around 57%, before the biofilm maturation the production was 0,19 g VSS/g COD removed and it was upgraded to 0,09 g VSS/g COD removed.

The project undertaken in this thesis was performed at MittSverige Vatten och Avfall (MSVA) in cooperation with the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL). The effect of temperature on nitrogen removal using moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was controlled using two separate lines by investigating the influence of temperature on nitrification, pre-denitrification, and post- denitrification in a pilot plant scale. By monitoring the process using chemical analysis, batch tests and online systems, it was possible to observe the changes occurring in the different reactors along with different parameter set-ups and react to the undesirable changes in the system. Due to some limitations, the master's thesis couldn’t fully answer the objective of the study. Nonetheless, the processes were investigated and evaluated to better understand the possibilities and limitations of nitrogen removal with MBBR with treating cold wastewater. During the study period, the inflow coming to the pilot plant, recirculation flow, external carbon dosing, set points of dissolved oxygen and temperature values were controlled. By manipulating these different parameters, it was possible to observe their impacts on the processes. The inflow was variable between 0.42 and 0.67 m3/h, recirculation flow was set to 1.2 m3/h at the beginning then changed to function same as the inflow after being reduced to 0.84 m3/h in between. DO level was variable throughout the entire study period with an average concentration of 4.2mg/l in line 1 and 4.43 mg/l in line2 in all the aerated zones for each line. Temperature of incoming water varied between 5.94 and 9.3 oC with an average temperature of 7.73 oC while the average temperature of the water in the system in line 1 was 13.3 oC and 12.62 oC in line 2. During the 5 months study period, the system achieved an average total nitrogen removal efficiency of 46% in line 1 and 60% in line 2. / Projektet i detta examensarbete utfördes vid MittSverige Vatten och Avfall (MSVA) i samarbete med Svenska Miljöinstitutet (IVL). Effekten av temperatur på kväveborttagning med användning av biofilmreaktorer med rörliga bärare (MBBR, eng. för Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) kontrollerades genom att undersöka temperaturens inverkan på nitrifikation, pre-denitrifikation och post- denitrifikation i två separata linjer i en pilotanläggningsskala. Genom att övervaka processen med hjälp av kemiska analyser, batchtester och online-system, var det möjligt att observera de förändringar som sker i de olika reaktorerna tillsammans med olika parameteruppsättningar och reagera på de oönskade förändringarna i systemet. På grund av vissa begränsningar kunde masteruppsatsen inte helt svara på syftet med studien. Ändå har processerna undersökts och utvärderats för att bättre förstå möjligheterna och begränsningarna av kväverening med MBBR vid rening av kallt avloppsvatten. Under studieperioden kontrollerades inflödet till pilotanläggningen, recirkulationsflöde, extern koldosering, börvärden för löst syre och temperaturvärden. Genom att ändra dessa olika parametrar var det möjligt att observera deras inverkan på processerna. Inflödet var variabelt mellan 0,42 och 0,67 m3 /h, recirkulationsflödet sattes till 1,2 m3/h i början och ändrades sedan till att fungera som inflödet efter att ha reducerats till 0,84 m3 /h däremellan. DO- nivån var variabel under hela studieperioden med en genomsnittlig koncentration på 4,2 mg/l i linje 1 och 4,4 mg/l i linje 2 i alla luftade zoner för varje linje. Temperaturen på inkommande vatten varierade mellan 5,9 och 9,3 oC med en medeltemperatur på 7,7 oC medan medeltemperaturen på vattnet i systemet i linje 1 var 13,3 oC och 12,6 oC i linje 2. Under den 5 månader långa studieperioden uppnådde systemet en genomsnittlig total kvävereduktionseffektivitet på 46 % i linje 1 och 60 % i linje 2.

As atividades industriais petroquímicas, incluindo as refinarias de petróleo, são grandes consumidoras de água e, consequentemente, grandes geradoras de efluentes industriais contendo uma infinidade de contaminantes. No caso das refinarias de petróleo brasileiras, o nitrogênio amoniacal tem se tornado um componente crítico a ser tratado, o que tem sido feito através de processos de tratamento biológicos que utilizam a nitrificação como base. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a operação de um reator de leito móvel (MBBR), em escala de bancada, utilizando suportes de polietileno com área específica de 820 m2.m-3, para tratar um efluente proveniente de uma refinaria brasileira com alta concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal. O efluente bruto apresentou demanda química de oxigênio entre 100 e 300 mg.L-1, teores de nitrogênio amoniacal entre 60 e 90 mg.L-1 e condutividade elétrica entre 1 e 2 mS.cm-1. Mesmo com variações da qualidade da alimentação da planta ao longo do estudo, como o aumento das concentrações de contaminantes, incluindo inibidores da nitrificação típicos dos efluentes de refinaria, a planta atendeu à Resolução CONAMA 430/2011 (BRASIL, 2011), que limita a concentração de descarte em 20 mg.L-1 para o contaminante nitrogênio amoniacal, em 93% das medições. Para o caso de uma fictícia legislação mais restritiva, que exigisse limite de 5 mg.L-1 desse contaminante, houve sucesso no tratamento em 83% do tempo, com eficiência média de nitrificação de 93,1%, evidenciando que há uma possibilidade real de utilização do processo MBBR em refinarias brasileiras. / Petrochemical industrial activities, including oil refineries, are major consumers of water and thus generating large industrial wastewater containing a multitude of contaminants. In the case of Brazilian oil refineries, ammonia nitrogen has become a critical component to be treated, what has been done through biological treatment processes using nitrification as a basis. In this work, the operation of a bench scale moving bed reactor was evaluated (MBBR), using polyethylene biomedia with specific area of 820 m2.m-3, to treat an effluent from a Brazilian petroleum refinery containing high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, was evaluated. The raw effluent contained between 100 and 300 mg.L-1 of Chemical Oxygen Demand, ammonia nitrogen content between 60 and 90 mg.L-1 and electrical conductivity between 1 and 2 mS.cm-1. Even with the variation of feed quality throughout the study, such as the increasing of concentrations of contaminants, including of typical refinery wastewater nitrification inhibitors compounds, the plant has met the legislation CONAMA 430/2011 (BRASIL, 2011), which limits the discarding concentration of ammonia nitrogen in 20 mg.L-1, in 93% of measurements. In the case of a fictitious more restrictive legislation, requiring a discharge concentration limit of 5 mg.L-1 for this contaminant, the treatment was successful in 83% of the time, with an average efficiency of 93.1% nitrification, showing that there is a real possibility to use the MBBR process in Brazilian refineries.