Anammox Technology Applied in Wastewater Treatment

Anammox technology is becoming an advanced wastewater treatment solution that has attracted significant interest and application worldwide. This method enables efficient nitrogen removal with low energy consumption and reduced sludge generation. Thanks to these outstanding advantages, Anammox is considered an important trend in the environmental treatment sector today.

1. What is Anammox wastewater treatment?

Anammox is a unique biological process that uses anaerobic bacteria to remove nitrogen from wastewater. This method directly converts ammonium and nitrite into nitrogen gas without the need for oxygen. As a result, treatment systems can significantly save energy and operating costs. Anammox technology is receiving increasing attention in modern wastewater treatment plants.

In wastewater treatment, Anammox helps reduce the amount of sludge generated compared to conventional methods. This process operates efficiently under high ammonium concentrations and stable anaerobic conditions. Although Anammox bacteria grow slowly, they deliver long-term effectiveness. Therefore, this method is regarded as a sustainable solution for nitrogen removal.

Anammox is a process used to remove nitrogen from wastewater

2. Operating mechanism of ammonium removal in wastewater

The ammonium removal process is based on specific biological reactions carried out by microorganisms. These reactions enable effective nitrogen removal without high energy demand. Through the proper integration of different stages, overall treatment efficiency is significantly enhanced.

2.1 Stage 1: Partial nitrification

In the first stage, ammonium is partially oxidized to produce nitrite at a ratio suitable for the next step. The main objective is to convert approximately half of the initial ammonium into nitrite. To maintain stable reactions, an inorganic carbon source is required as a reactant.

NH₄⁺ + 1.5 O₂ + 2 HCO₃⁻ → NO₂⁻ + 2 CO₂ + 3 H₂O

2.2 Stage 2: Anammox process

This stage occurs under anaerobic conditions, where ammonium and nitrite are directly converted into nitrogen gas. The reaction removes nitrogen without the need for oxygen or organic carbon sources. This is the core step that determines the effectiveness of Anammox technology in treating ammonium-rich wastewater.

NH₃ + 1.32 NO₂⁻ + H⁺ → 1.02 N₂ + 0.26 NO₃⁻ + 2 H₂O

The ammonium removal process is based on biological reactions that effectively remove nitrogen with low energy consumption

3. Practical applications of Anammox technology

This advanced biological treatment method is increasingly being applied in the environmental sector. Thanks to its effective nitrogen removal capability, many wastewater treatment systems have significantly improved their operational performance. This contributes to cost reduction and supports sustainable development.

• Large-scale domestic wastewater treatment: Anammox technology is applied in municipal wastewater treatment plants with high ammonium loads. This method reduces aeration demand and sludge production, thereby significantly lowering operating costs and energy consumption.
• Industrial wastewater treatment: Many industries such as food processing, chemical manufacturing, and fertilizer production generate nitrogen-rich wastewater. Applying anaerobic biological processes allows more effective ammonium removal compared to traditional methods. The system remains stable even at high pollutant concentrations.
• Treatment of ammonium-rich sidestreams from sludge processing: Anammox is commonly used for reject water after anaerobic digestion. This stream typically has high ammonium concentrations and low organic content. With proper application, nitrogen removal efficiency is greatly improved.
• Integration into advanced treatment systems: This method is incorporated into modern wastewater treatment models that combine multiple technologies. Such systems optimize land use and treatment time, aligning with increasingly stringent environmental requirements.

Anammox technology not only improves ammonium removal efficiency but also delivers long-term economic and environmental benefits. Its application helps wastewater treatment systems operate more sustainably and in an environmentally friendly manner. In the future, this technology is expected to continue developing and expanding across various fields.