Development of a Response Surface for Prediction of Nitrate Removal in Sulfur–Limestone Autotrophic Denitrification Fixed-Bed Reactors
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 9
Abstract
Sulfur–limestone autotrophic denitrification (SLAD) processes are very efficient for treatment of ground or surface water contaminated with nitrate. However, detailed information is not available on the interaction among some major variables on the design and performance of the SLAD process. In this study, the response surface method was used by designing a rotatable central composite test scheme with 12 SLAD column tests. A polynomial linear regression model was set up to quantitatively describe the relationship of the effluent and influent nitrate–nitrogen concentration and hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the SLAD column reactors. This model may be used for estimating the effluent nitrate–nitrogen concentration when the influent nitrate–nitrogen concentration ranges between 20 and and the HRT ranges between 2 and . Based on our model and the requirement for nitrite control, we recommend that the HRT of the SLAD column reactor be kept and the nitrate loading rate less than 200 g media to achieve high nitrate removal efficiency and prevent nitrite accumulation from being .
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank Mr. Kent W. Smothers, Managing Director of the Midwest Technology Assistance Center (MTAC), Illinois State Water Survey, for his management and support of the project, and Ms. Jennifer Tester, administrative coordinator, at the MTAC for her support of the project. The Midwest Technology Assistance Center (MTAC), Illinois State Water Survey funded this project, which is greatly appreciated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 9 • September 2006
Pages: 1068 - 1072
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: May 12, 2005
Accepted: Jan 12, 2006
Published online: Sep 1, 2006
Published in print: Sep 2006
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