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Elucidation of microbiological-biochemical relationships in denitrification occurring during activated sludge treatment

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Biotechnology, Technikon Natal, 2001. / Up until now extensive work has been done to develop kinetic models and related software that can
be used successfully to simulate and design nitrification denitrification (ND) and nitrification
denitrification biological excess phosphorus removal (NDBEPR) systems for efficient nitrogen
removal. The denitrification kinetics of these systems have primarily been determined and attributed
to the ordinary heterotrophic bacteria, now also known as the OHO fraction, otherwise not involved
in biological excess phosphorus removal. However, denitrification kinetics determined for ND
systems have been found to vary considerably at times when applied to NDBEPR systems because
of varying OHO active fraction estimates and the unexplained occurrence of anoxic phosphorus
removal and anysuccess achieved to date has been some what fortuitous. Ultimately variations in
process performance and kinetics are attributable to inadequate control and lack of understanding
of the ecological, physiological and biochemical activities of constituent microorganisms. There is
growing concern and movement towards a better understanding of the microbial community within
activated sludge in order to gain optimal control of the process. / M

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:dut/oai:ir.dut.ac.za:10321/2114
Date January 2001
CreatorsDrysdale, Gavin David
ContributorsBux, Faizal
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format100 p

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