Ammonia Removal in Wastewater
This series of products contain a special blend of microorganisms to provide a consistent seed of both types of nitrifiers for ammonia conversion
The nitrifying bacteria are composed of two groups; Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrobacter spp. The Nitrosomonas spp. convert ammonia to nitrite and the Nitrobacter spp. convert the nitrite to nitrate. Nitrifying bacteria are autotrophic (able to use carbon dioxide as the sole source of carbon) and are relatively slow growing. Typical doubling times may be 8 to 16 hours. They are also highly oxygen sensitive, requiring relatively high aerobic conditions for maximum growth rates. Variations in pH, temperature, and the concentrations of organic material also influence the activity and growth rates of nitrifying bacteria. As a result the nitrifying population of many wastewater facilities is frequently destroyed or washed out of the system because of its inability to competitively reproduce at a sufficient rate.
By utilizing selected strains of both Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrobacter spp., it has been possible to adapt the bacterial cultures to function over a wider range of pH values than those normally encountered in the nitrifying population. Similar adaptation and selection techniques have been employed to increase the toxic threshold limiting concentrations of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite which may inhibit the growth of these extremely sensitive microorganisms. BIOBUG® NS series have demonstrated the ability to remove ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
Nitrification are the processes by which nitrogen is cycled within an aquatic ecosystem. Nitrification is an aerobic process where ammonia nitrogen is oxidized to nitrate. Two organisms are primarily responsible for nitrification in aquatic systems. The organism Nitrosomonas is responsible for the conversion of NH3 to NO2. NO2 is then converted to NO3 by the organism Nitrobacter. These organisms have specific requirements for successful nitrification in waste treatment systems.
Ammonia Removal: The Nitrification Process
Nitrosomonas, nitrobacter, and nitrosococcus bacteria are commonly found in the soil and water that can easily wash into wastewater treatment plant (WWTPs). However, for WWTPs that loose nitrification or struggle with nitrification issues (e.g., during drought conditions, or in areas with deep permafrost where the naturally-occurring availability of these organisms may be limited) BIO-SYSTEMS' BIOBUG® NS provides the perfect blend of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter cultures.
They generally grow as single cells but may be held together by slime. They are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment and die off because acute toxicity is common.
Factors Which May Affect Nitrification
- pH: 7.5 - 8.5 is preferred. Nitrifiers use ammonia best in this pH range as ammonia is not ionized. Nitrifiers have the ability to adapt to changes in pH, but sudden changes in pH are toxic to their presence.
- Oxygen: Nitrification requires 8 pounds of oxygen for pound of ammonia. A dissolved oxygen of at least 1.0 ppm is recommended although an oxygen level down to 0.5 ppm may still work.
- Heavy metals: Nitrifiers may be limited in industrial situations where frequent or accidental discharges of metals happen.
- Age: Nitrifiers prefer a higher sludge age and increased contact time.
- Plant design: Nitrification effectiveness is also a function of plant design, capacities, efficiency, and plant operation
This product is manufactured both in our Beloit WI and England facilities.
Give us a call to find out more about the non-refrigerated version of this product - BIOBUG® NH3.
Ammonia Removal in Wastewater
This series of products contain a special blend of microorganisms to provide a consistent seed of both types of nitrifiers for ammonia conversion
The nitrifying bacteria are composed of two groups; Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrobacter spp. The Nitrosomonas spp. convert ammonia to nitrite and the Nitrobacter spp. convert the nitrite to nitrate. Nitrifying bacteria are autotrophic (able to use carbon dioxide as the sole source of carbon) and are relatively slow growing. Typical doubling times may be 8 to 16 hours. They are also highly oxygen sensitive, requiring relatively high aerobic conditions for maximum growth rates. Variations in pH, temperature, and the concentrations of organic material also influence the activity and growth rates of nitrifying bacteria. As a result the nitrifying population of many wastewater facilities is frequently destroyed or washed out of the system because of its inability to competitively reproduce at a sufficient rate.
By utilizing selected strains of both Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrobacter spp., it has been possible to adapt the bacterial cultures to function over a wider range of pH values than those normally encountered in the nitrifying population. Similar adaptation and selection techniques have been employed to increase the toxic threshold limiting concentrations of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite which may inhibit the growth of these extremely sensitive microorganisms. BIOBUG® NS series have demonstrated the ability to remove ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
Nitrification are the processes by which nitrogen is cycled within an aquatic ecosystem. Nitrification is an aerobic process where ammonia nitrogen is oxidized to nitrate. Two organisms are primarily responsible for nitrification in aquatic systems. The organism Nitrosomonas is responsible for the conversion of NH3 to NO2. NO2 is then converted to NO3 by the organism Nitrobacter. These organisms have specific requirements for successful nitrification in waste treatment systems.
Ammonia Removal: The Nitrification Process
Nitrosomonas, nitrobacter, and nitrosococcus bacteria are commonly found in the soil and water that can easily wash into wastewater treatment plant (WWTPs). However, for WWTPs that loose nitrification or struggle with nitrification issues (e.g., during drought conditions, or in areas with deep permafrost where the naturally-occurring availability of these organisms may be limited) BIO-SYSTEMS' BIOBUG® NS provides the perfect blend of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter cultures.
They generally grow as single cells but may be held together by slime. They are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment and die off because acute toxicity is common.
Factors Which May Affect Nitrification
- pH: 7.5 - 8.5 is preferred. Nitrifiers use ammonia best in this pH range as ammonia is not ionized. Nitrifiers have the ability to adapt to changes in pH, but sudden changes in pH are toxic to their presence.
- Oxygen: Nitrification requires 8 pounds of oxygen for pound of ammonia. A dissolved oxygen of at least 1.0 ppm is recommended although an oxygen level down to 0.5 ppm may still work.
- Heavy metals: Nitrifiers may be limited in industrial situations where frequent or accidental discharges of metals happen.
- Age: Nitrifiers prefer a higher sludge age and increased contact time.
- Plant design: Nitrification effectiveness is also a function of plant design, capacities, efficiency, and plant operation
This product is manufactured both in our Beloit WI and England facilities.
Give us a call to find out more about the non-refrigerated version of this product - BIOBUG® NH3.