Phosphorus removal in domestic wastewater using anaerobic fixed beds packied with iron contactors

The objective of this study is to develop an alternative phosphorus removal system for small-scale plants disposing domestic wastewater. In order to promote anaerobic microbial corrosion by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), a bench-scale upflow anaerobic fixed bed (UAFB) packed with iron contactors was installed, and operated to investigate the treatment characteristics of domestic wastewater from an apartment complex. It was found that there is a linear relationship between anaerobic corrosion and sulfate reduction by SRB within the range of operational conditions. As the results of introducing the UAFBs prior to an anoxic/oxic process, phosphorus removal efficiencies were enhanced with no adverse effects on nitrification and denitrification.