The centrate is a highly concentrated liquid stream from the dewatering process that contains a high level of ammonia. Deammonification is a biological treatment process to convert ammonia to nitrogen gas.
This process uses a unique anaerobic oxidizing bacteria known as Anammox to perform a “shortcut” nitrogen removal sequence as opposed to the conventional nitrification/denitrification process.
The unique part of this bacteria is that it does not require a carbon (food) source to drive nitrogen removal. With this process in place, 90% of the ammonia is removed which was typically 40% of the total treatment plant ammonia load even though it was only 2% of the flow.
Anammox Reactor
Internal Settling
Anammox Granules in Imhoff Settling Cone