Removal of ammonia by immobilizaed Nitrosomonas europaea in a biotrickling filter packed with polyurethane foam

Abstract

[Abstract] A chemolithoautrotrophic microorganism Nitrosomonas europaea has been utilized to remove gaseous ammonia in a biotrickling filter packed with polyurethane foam. The optimal pH for removing was 7.5 and the biological removal efficiency was zero at pH 6.5. Empty bed residence time of 150, 100, 50, 25, 20, 11 and 5 seconds were tested; the removal efficiency was of 100% in all range for a constant load of 8 gN.m-3.h-1. The critical elimination capacity was 270 gN.m-3.h-1 while the nitrite concentration was below of 100 mM (EBRT of 11 second, pH 7.5-7.6). Therefore, these results demonstrate that is possible to reach a high removal of ammonia using polyurethane foam, as solid support for Nitrosomonas europaea, and a biotrickling filter system.