THE SHARON PROCESS - AN INNOVATIVE METHOD FOR NITROGEN REMOVAL FROM AMMONIUM-RICH WASTE-WATER

A new biological process for ammonia removal from flows containing hun dreds to thousands milligrams NH4+ per litre has been developed at the Delft University of Technology. The SHARON process operates at a high temperature (30-40 degrees C) and pH (7-8). The process is performed without sludge retention. This enables the prevention of nitrite oxida tion, leading to lower operational costs. Denitrification is used to c ontrol the pH. A full scale plant was designed (1500 m(3)) based on ki netic and stoichiometric parameters determined at 1.5 l. scale and mod el predictions. Total costs are estimated at about $1.7 per kg removed NH4+-N. The first full scale SHARON plant will be operational at the Dokhaven waste water treatment plant in Rotterdam in the beginning of 1998. This contribution focuses on the principles of the process and e valuates conditions for which application seems feasible. (C) 1998 IAW Q. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd