Acetic acid in the process of removing phosphorus from wastewater in the Bardenpho bioreactor.

Phosphorus is one of the basic microelements for most aquatic organisms. The level of this element limits biomass production in reservoirs and watercourses. However, its excess in the aquatic environment is equally, if not more harmful than its complete absence. Excess phosphorus leads to anthropogenic eutrophication* – unlike natural limnogic processes, anthropogenic eutrophication is man-made.
To avoid this negative phenomenon, surface waters should be cleaned of excess phosphorus. One of the commonly used methods of removing excess phosphorus is the treatment of sewage and catchment water from agricultural areas in a Bardenpho bioreactor using three active zones with an acetic medium.

Brandenpho bioreactor.

The three-zone biological reactor consists of the following zones: anaerobic, hypoxic and aerobic. Phosphorus is removed through its biological absorption in the cyclical phases of aerobic and anaerobic treatment of activated sludge based on acetic acid medium.

The role of acetic acid in the biological process of phosphorus removal.

In the first phase of the process, under anaerobic conditions, the bacteria contained in the activated sludge get rid of phosphorus from the cells in favor of highly energetic acetic acid - hence the name of the method of purification in a Bardenpho biological reactor with vinegar medium. Acetic acid should be added to the treated wastewater as a breeding ground for bacteria. After storing in the cells a high-energy reserve substance - taken from the acetic acid solution - the bacteria in the hypoxic and aerobic zone show high metabolic activity. Metabolizing acetic acid requires large amounts of oxygen and phosphorus. The transition from the anaerobic zone through the hypoxic zone to the aerobic zone causes the absorption of large amounts of phosphorus from the solution by the described phosphorus bacteria. They replace the highly energetic acetic acid with phosphorus in their cells, which significantly reduces the level of the latter in solution. The amount of phosphorus released in the first anaerobic treatment phase is significantly lower than that taken up in the final aerobic phase. At this stage, the bacteria must be removed from the solution along with the working sludge, which is called excess sludge at this stage. If the solution still contains a high level of phosphorus, the process should be repeated after re-addition of acetic acid medium and re-inoculation with phosphorus bacteria. The cycle is repeated until the phosphorus is completely removed or, depending on the purpose of the purified water, it is brought down to the required acceptable level.

Acetic acid is ideal as a bacterial medium in the process of removing phosphorus from municipal or industrial wastewater
in a Bardenpho bioreactor with vinegar medium available at distripark.com

* Eutrophication - the process of natural or artificial enrichment of water in a reservoir or watercourse with biophilic elements. The result of water eutrophication is the emergence of plant life in a reservoir or watercourse. Excessive amount of biophilic elements results in an explosion of plant life, especially plankton, it is the so-called water bloom. In extreme cases, a particularly intense algae bloom can lead to water deoxygenation and the disappearance of biological life in the reservoir.

*This article is for informational purposes only. The presented description, in particular the use of the products, is exemplary and constitutes non-binding information about the characteristics and possibilities of their use/application. In any case, before using the product, consult a specialist whether the specific use is safe and justified. We do not bear any responsibility for the use of the proposed solutions, even in very similar situations.

Acetic acid in the process of removing phosphorus from wastewater in the Bardenpho bioreactor.

Brandenpho bioreactor.

The role of acetic acid in the biological process of phosphorus removal.

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