Denitrification characteristics of a sulfur autotrophic denitrification reactor

The denitrification characteristics of a sulfur autotrophic denitrification reactor are investigated. The results show that domestication of sulfur autotrophic bacteria is completed within 15 days after biofilm formation in the reactor, which is shorter than other similar researches. The nitrogen removal rate remains over than 90%, and the denitrification rate reaches 18.5 mg N/(L·h) with influent NO-3-N of 70 mg/L , influent pH of 8 and HRT of 4.3 h . Thiobacillus denitrificans are observed in the whole reactor when domestication finishes, while it is more abundant in the middle and lower part. The optimal influent NO-3-N concentration for the reactor is 50 mg/L, the optimal temperature is 30~35 ℃, the optimal influent pH is 7~8, and the nitrogen removal rate is over than 90%