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Nitrogen Conversion

Mike Baumgartner, Wastewater Specialist
Mike Baumgartner
Wastewater Technician


By: Mike Baumgartner, ARWA Wastewater Technician

The oxidation of nitrogen in wastewater treatment is done in three steps. The first step is not talked about much. The process is Ammonification. This is the oxidation of amino acids and urea to Ammonium / Ammonia. The second step is the conversion of Ammonium to Nitrite (No2). Lastly, the process of de-nitrification is the conversion of Nitrate (No3) to Nitrogen Gas and ultimately released to the atmosphere. There are two types of bacteria that are in play. Nitrifying bacteria are called “Nitrosomes” and De-nitrifying bacteria are called “Nitrobacter”.

Two separate conditions must exist for the conversions to take place. The Nitrosomes (Nitrifying) bacteria make up 5% of the overall mass population and only use Ammonia as its food source. They thrive in an oxic condition. The D.O. should be in the 1.5 mg/l range. Nitrobacter bacteria work under anoxic conditions.

Remember, Nitrogen is not removed from the system unless De-nitrification occurs. This step will reduce all forms of nitrogen. It is important to note that since Nitrifying bacteria are few, avoid over wasting or your ammonia may start to rise.

There is one more important topic to discuss since we need a healthy environment for the successful conversion. Not only do we need a healthy influent food source (Carbon and Nutrients), but adequate Alkalinity. Nitrifying bacteria are acid forming so alkalinity is needed to maintain a proper p.H. Remember that 7.2 lbs. of Alkalinity is needed to maintain p.H. per Lb. of Ammonia oxidized.

Test your influent for Alkalinity. Lastly, the Denitrification process will add back around 50% that was lost. That is one of the advantages of that process. In summary, the goal of Nitrification is to oxidize the Ammonia present in the wastewater and De-nitrification will reduce all forms of Nitrogen.

First appeared in Waterline, Summer 2018

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