Biological Nitrogen Degradation Service

The biological nitrogen degradation takes place through nitrification and denitrification. A successful degradation process requires an additional carbon supply to be provided for the denitrification stage. Normally, methanol or another external carbon source is bought in and added to the process for this purpose. Sonication of the excess sludge with ultrasonic breaks down the biomass. This releases the cell contents – i.e. ideal carbon carriers –, which are then available as an internal source of carbon in the denitrification stage. Biological nitrogen degradation in the wastewater treatment plant can therefore be maintained or even intensified. If part of the sonicated sludge is returned to the biological phase, the quantity of sludge to be disposed of is automatically reduced. Use of ultrasonic for the degradation of nitrogen was successfully tested in practice and, for example,has been in operation in Bünde municipal wastewater treatment plant since 2006.