The performance of sequencing biofilm batch reactor( SBBR) under micro-aerobic condition for aniline-contaminated wastewater treatment was investigated in this study. Dissolved oxygen( DO) and aniline concentrations w...The performance of sequencing biofilm batch reactor( SBBR) under micro-aerobic condition for aniline-contaminated wastewater treatment was investigated in this study. Dissolved oxygen( DO) and aniline concentrations were selected as the operating variables to analyze,model,and optimize the process. In order to analyze the process,5 dependent parameters,chemical oxygen demand( COD),aniline,ammonium,total nitrogen( TN),and total phosphorous( TP) removal as the process responses were studied. From the results, increase in DO concentration could promote the removal of COD,aniline,ammonium,and TN,while increase in aniline concentration has a slightly negative impact on the removal of pollutants. The optimum DO concentration was found to be 0. 4-0. 5 mg /L. The removal efficiencies for COD,aniline,ammonium,and TN at the optimum point( DO concentration0. 5 mg /L,aniline concentration 11 mg /L) were 95. 84%,100%,75. 72%,and 45. 39%,respectively. The oxidative deamination was the main degradation method for aniline under micro-aerobic condition. Simultaneously nitrification-denitrification( SND)process performed under micro-aerobic condition and about 20%-40% nitrogen was removed by SND.展开更多
High salinity industrial wastewater is difficult to treat using biological treatment system because of the high concentrations of salt.The potential of a sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR)process in treating synth...High salinity industrial wastewater is difficult to treat using biological treatment system because of the high concentrations of salt.The potential of a sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR)process in treating synthetic high salinity wastewater was evaluated at laboratory scale during a 110-day operation.The reactor was operated in a 12 h cycle,and each cycle consisted of 0.25 h influent addition,8 h aeration,3 h anoxic reaction,0.5 h sedimentation and 0.25 h effluent withdrawal.Gradual increase in salinity gradient was applied during the acclimatization period.The acclimated SBBR system was demonstrated to be an effective process to remove organic compounds and ammonia nitrogen under high salinity conditions with chemical oxygen demand(COD)and ammonia nitrogen(NH3-N)removal efficiencies of 88% and 80%,respectively.The microscopic examination indicated that rather than rotifers or vorticella,the zoogloea,filamentous fungus mingled with a small quantity of swimming infusorians were dominant bacteria in SBBR system.The removal efficiencies close to 80% in COD and 75% in NH3-N were achieved at an organic loading rate(OLR)of 0.96 kg COD/(m3·d),pH of 7.0,salinity of 14 g/L and NH3-N of 30 mg/L.展开更多
In this study, the performance of a sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR) for removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from swine wastewater was evaluated. The replacement rate of wastewater was set at 12.5% throughout the...In this study, the performance of a sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR) for removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from swine wastewater was evaluated. The replacement rate of wastewater was set at 12.5% throughout the experiment. The anaerobic and aerobic times were 3 h and 7 h, respectively, and the dissolved oxygen concentration of the aerobic phase was about 3.95 mg·L-1. The SBBR process demonstrated good performance in treating swine wastewater. The percentage removal of total chemical oxygen demand(COD), ammonia nitrogen(NH4+-N), total nitrogen(TN), and total phosphorus(TP) was 98.2%, 95.7%, 95.6%, and 96.2% at effluent concentrations of COD85.6 mg·L-1, NH4+-N 35.22 mg·L-1, TN 44.64 mg·L-1, and TP 1.13 mg·L-1, respectively. Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification phenomenon was observed. Further improvement in removal efficiency of NH4+-N and TN occurred at COD/TN ratio of 11:1, with effluent concentrations at NH4+-N 18.5 mg·L-1and TN 34 mg·L-1, while no such improvement in COD and TP removal was found. Microbial electron microscopy analysis showed that the filler surface was covered with a thick biofilm, forming an anaerobic–aerobic microenvironment and facilitating the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matters. A long-term experiment(15 weeks) showed that stable removal efficiency for N and P could be achieved in the SBBR system.展开更多
This paper describes the removal of COD and nitrogen from wastewater with modified sequencing batch biofilm reactor. The strategy of simultaneous feeding and draining was explored.The results show that introduction of...This paper describes the removal of COD and nitrogen from wastewater with modified sequencing batch biofilm reactor. The strategy of simultaneous feeding and draining was explored.The results show that introduction of a new batch of wastewater and withdrawal of the purified water can be conducted simultaneously with the maximum volumetric exchange rate of about 70%.Application of this feeding and draining mode leads to the reduction of the cycle time, the increase of the utilization of the reactor volume and the simplification of the reactor structure. The treatment of a synthetic wastewater containing COD and nitrogen was investigated. The operation mode of F(D) O ( i.e ., simultaneous feeding and draining followed by the aerobic condition) was adopted. It was found that COD was degraded very fast in the initial reaction period of time, then reduced slowly and the ammonia nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen concentrations decreased and increased with time respectively, while the nitrite nitrogen level increased first and then reduced. The relationship between the COD or ammonia nitrogen loading and its removal rate was examined, and the removal of COD, ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen could exceed 95%, 90% and 80% respectively. The fact that nitrogen could be removed more completely under constant aeration (aerobic condition) of the SBBR operation mode is very interesting and could be explained in several respects.展开更多
Frequent variations of the wastewater quality and quantity and other uncertain factors are the challenges faced by many wastewater treatment plants during the operation. Sequencing batch biofilm reactor( SBBR) proce...Frequent variations of the wastewater quality and quantity and other uncertain factors are the challenges faced by many wastewater treatment plants during the operation. Sequencing batch biofilm reactor( SBBR) process provides a new idea for an effective solution to this problem. This paper introduces the basic processes and characteristics of the sequencing batch biofilm reactor( SBBR) process,and summarizes the research status of this process in wastewater treatment. Factors affecting the nitrogen and phosphorus removal effect of the SBBR process are also analyzed.展开更多
A series of investigations were conducted using sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR) to explore the influence of C:N:P ratio on biological dephosphatation including the denitrifying dephosphatation and the denit...A series of investigations were conducted using sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR) to explore the influence of C:N:P ratio on biological dephosphatation including the denitrifying dephosphatation and the denitrification process.Biomass in the reactor occurred mainly in the form of a biofilm attached to completely submerged disks.Acetic acid was used as the source of organic carbon.C:N:P ratios have had a significant effect on the profiles of phosphate release and phosphate uptake and nitrogen removal.The highest rates of phosphate release and phosphate uptake were recorded at the C:N:P ratio of 140:70:7.The C:N ratio of 2.5:1 ensured complete denitrification.The highest rate of denitrification was achieved at the C:N:P ratio of 140:35:7.The increase of nitrogen load caused an increase in phosphates removal until a ratio C:N:P of 140:140:7.Bacteria of the biofilm exposed to alternate conditions of mixing and aeration exhibited enhanced intracellular accumulation of polyphosphates.Also,the structure of the biofilm encouraged anaerobic-aerobic as well as anoxic-anaerobic and absolutely anaerobic conditions in a SBBR.These heterogeneous conditions in the presence of nitrates may be a significant factor determining the promotion of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organism(DNPAO) development.展开更多
The effects of tourmaline on nitrogen removal performance and biofilm structures were comparatively investigated in two identical laboratory-scale sequencing batch biofilm reactors(SBBRs)(denoted SBBR1 and SBBR2) ...The effects of tourmaline on nitrogen removal performance and biofilm structures were comparatively investigated in two identical laboratory-scale sequencing batch biofilm reactors(SBBRs)(denoted SBBR1 and SBBR2) at different nitrogen loading rates(NLRs) varying from(0.24 ± 0.01) to(1.26 ± 0.02) g N/(L·day). SBBR1 was operated in parallel with SBBR2, but SBBR1 was filled with polyurethane foam loaded tourmaline(TPU) carriers and another(SBBR2) filled with polyurethane foam(PU) carriers. Results obtained from this study showed that the excellent and stable performance of SBBR1 was obtained. Ammonia nitrogen removal and total nitrogen removal were higher in SBBR1 than that in SBBR2 with increase of NLR. At an NLR of(0.24 ± 0.01) g N/(L·day), the majority of the spherical and elliptical bacteria were surrounded by the extracellular polymeric substance(EPS) and bacillus or filamentous bacteria in two SBBRs biofilms. When NLR increased to(1.26 ± 0.02) g N/(L·day), the clusters were more obvious in the SBBR1 biofilm than that in the SBBR2 biofilm. Bacteria in SBBR1 were inclined to synthesis more EPS, and the formed EPS could protect the bacteria from free ammonia(FA) under extreme condition NLR(1.26 ± 0.02) g N/(L·day). The results of polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the microbial community similarity in SBBR2 decreased more obviously than that in SBBR1 with the increase of NLR, which the microbial community in SBBR1 was relatively stable.展开更多
The nitrogen removal mechanism was studied and analyzed when treating the ammonium-rich landfill leachate by a set of sequencing batch biofilm reactors(SBBRs),which was designed independently.At the liquid temperature...The nitrogen removal mechanism was studied and analyzed when treating the ammonium-rich landfill leachate by a set of sequencing batch biofilm reactors(SBBRs),which was designed independently.At the liquid temperature of(32P0.4)°C,and after a 58-days domestica-tion period and a 33-days stabilization period,the efficiency of ammonium removal in the SBBR went up to 95%.Highly frequent intermittent aeration suppressed the activity of nitratebacteria,and also eliminated the influence on the activity of anaerobic ammonium oxidation(ANAMMOX)bacteria and nitritebacteria.This influence was caused by the accumulation of nitrous acid and the undulation of pH.During the aeration stage,the concentration of dissolved oxygen was controlled at 1.2-1.4 mg/L.The nitritebacteria became dominant and nitrite accumulated gradually.During the anoxic stage,along with the concentration debasement of the dissolved oxygen,ANAMMOX bacteria became domi-nant;then,the nitrite that was accumulated in the aeration stage was wiped off with ammonium simultaneously.展开更多
In this paper, the effect of pH on biological degradation of Microcystis aeruginosa by alga-lysing bacteria in laboratory-scale sequencing batch biofilm reactors (SBBRs) was investigated. After 10 d filming with was...In this paper, the effect of pH on biological degradation of Microcystis aeruginosa by alga-lysing bacteria in laboratory-scale sequencing batch biofilm reactors (SBBRs) was investigated. After 10 d filming with waste activated sludge, the biological film could be formed, and the bioreactors in which laid polyolefin resin filler were used to treat algal culture. By comparing the removal efficiency of chlorophyll a at different aerobic time, the optimum time was determined as 5 h. Under pH 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 conditions, the removal rates of Microcystis aeruginosa were respectively 75.9%, 83.6%, and 78.3% (in term of chlorophyll a), and that of Chemical Oxygen Demand (CODMn) were 30.6%, 35.8%, and 33.5%. While the removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen (NH+ -N) were all 100%. It was observed that the sequence of the removal efficiencies of algae, NH+ -N and organic matter were pH 7.5 〉 pH 8.5 〉 pH 6.5. The results showed that the dominant alga-lysing bacteria in the SBBRs was strain HM-01, which was identified as Bacillus sp. by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis, and compar- ison with sequences in the GenBank nucleotide database. The algicidal activated substance which HM-01 strain excreted could withstand high temperature and pressure, also had better hydrophily and stronger polarity.展开更多
Removing nitrogen from wastewater with low chemical oxygen demand/total nitrogen (COD/TN) ratio is a difficult task due to the insufficient carbon source available for denitrification. Therefore, in the present work...Removing nitrogen from wastewater with low chemical oxygen demand/total nitrogen (COD/TN) ratio is a difficult task due to the insufficient carbon source available for denitrification. Therefore, in the present work, a novel sequencing batch biofilm reactor (NSBBR) was developed to enhance the nitrogen removal from wastewater with low COD/ TN ratio. The NSBBR was divided into two units separated by a vertical clapboard. Alternate feeding and aeration was performed in the two units, which created an anoxie unit with rich substrate content and an aeration unit deficient in substrate simultaneously. Therefore, the utilization of the influent carbon source for denitrification was increased, leading to higher TN removal compared to conventional SBBR (CSBBR) operation. The results show that the CSBBR removed up to 76.8%, 44.5% and 10.4% of TN, respectively, at three tested COD/TN ratios (9.0, 4.8 and 2.5). In contrast, the TN removal of the NSBBR could reach 81.9%, 60.5% and 26.6%, respectively, at the corresponding COD/TN ratios. Therefore, better TN removal performance could be achieved in the NSBBR, especially at low CODfrN ratios (4.8 and 2.5). Furthermore, it is easy to upgrade a CSBBR into an NSBBR in practice.展开更多
基金National Major Water Project of China(No.2013ZX07201007)State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment,Harbin Institute of Technology,China(No 3012DX06)
文摘The performance of sequencing biofilm batch reactor( SBBR) under micro-aerobic condition for aniline-contaminated wastewater treatment was investigated in this study. Dissolved oxygen( DO) and aniline concentrations were selected as the operating variables to analyze,model,and optimize the process. In order to analyze the process,5 dependent parameters,chemical oxygen demand( COD),aniline,ammonium,total nitrogen( TN),and total phosphorous( TP) removal as the process responses were studied. From the results, increase in DO concentration could promote the removal of COD,aniline,ammonium,and TN,while increase in aniline concentration has a slightly negative impact on the removal of pollutants. The optimum DO concentration was found to be 0. 4-0. 5 mg /L. The removal efficiencies for COD,aniline,ammonium,and TN at the optimum point( DO concentration0. 5 mg /L,aniline concentration 11 mg /L) were 95. 84%,100%,75. 72%,and 45. 39%,respectively. The oxidative deamination was the main degradation method for aniline under micro-aerobic condition. Simultaneously nitrification-denitrification( SND)process performed under micro-aerobic condition and about 20%-40% nitrogen was removed by SND.
基金Projects(ZR2013BL010,ZR2012DL05)supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,ChinaProject(4041412016)supported by the Research Excellence Award of Shandong University of Technology,ChinaProjects(2013GG03116,2011GG02115)supported by the Science and Technology Development Planning Project of Zibo,China
文摘High salinity industrial wastewater is difficult to treat using biological treatment system because of the high concentrations of salt.The potential of a sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR)process in treating synthetic high salinity wastewater was evaluated at laboratory scale during a 110-day operation.The reactor was operated in a 12 h cycle,and each cycle consisted of 0.25 h influent addition,8 h aeration,3 h anoxic reaction,0.5 h sedimentation and 0.25 h effluent withdrawal.Gradual increase in salinity gradient was applied during the acclimatization period.The acclimated SBBR system was demonstrated to be an effective process to remove organic compounds and ammonia nitrogen under high salinity conditions with chemical oxygen demand(COD)and ammonia nitrogen(NH3-N)removal efficiencies of 88% and 80%,respectively.The microscopic examination indicated that rather than rotifers or vorticella,the zoogloea,filamentous fungus mingled with a small quantity of swimming infusorians were dominant bacteria in SBBR system.The removal efficiencies close to 80% in COD and 75% in NH3-N were achieved at an organic loading rate(OLR)of 0.96 kg COD/(m3·d),pH of 7.0,salinity of 14 g/L and NH3-N of 30 mg/L.
基金Supported by the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Program(Z121100001512008)
文摘In this study, the performance of a sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR) for removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from swine wastewater was evaluated. The replacement rate of wastewater was set at 12.5% throughout the experiment. The anaerobic and aerobic times were 3 h and 7 h, respectively, and the dissolved oxygen concentration of the aerobic phase was about 3.95 mg·L-1. The SBBR process demonstrated good performance in treating swine wastewater. The percentage removal of total chemical oxygen demand(COD), ammonia nitrogen(NH4+-N), total nitrogen(TN), and total phosphorus(TP) was 98.2%, 95.7%, 95.6%, and 96.2% at effluent concentrations of COD85.6 mg·L-1, NH4+-N 35.22 mg·L-1, TN 44.64 mg·L-1, and TP 1.13 mg·L-1, respectively. Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification phenomenon was observed. Further improvement in removal efficiency of NH4+-N and TN occurred at COD/TN ratio of 11:1, with effluent concentrations at NH4+-N 18.5 mg·L-1and TN 34 mg·L-1, while no such improvement in COD and TP removal was found. Microbial electron microscopy analysis showed that the filler surface was covered with a thick biofilm, forming an anaerobic–aerobic microenvironment and facilitating the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matters. A long-term experiment(15 weeks) showed that stable removal efficiency for N and P could be achieved in the SBBR system.
文摘This paper describes the removal of COD and nitrogen from wastewater with modified sequencing batch biofilm reactor. The strategy of simultaneous feeding and draining was explored.The results show that introduction of a new batch of wastewater and withdrawal of the purified water can be conducted simultaneously with the maximum volumetric exchange rate of about 70%.Application of this feeding and draining mode leads to the reduction of the cycle time, the increase of the utilization of the reactor volume and the simplification of the reactor structure. The treatment of a synthetic wastewater containing COD and nitrogen was investigated. The operation mode of F(D) O ( i.e ., simultaneous feeding and draining followed by the aerobic condition) was adopted. It was found that COD was degraded very fast in the initial reaction period of time, then reduced slowly and the ammonia nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen concentrations decreased and increased with time respectively, while the nitrite nitrogen level increased first and then reduced. The relationship between the COD or ammonia nitrogen loading and its removal rate was examined, and the removal of COD, ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen could exceed 95%, 90% and 80% respectively. The fact that nitrogen could be removed more completely under constant aeration (aerobic condition) of the SBBR operation mode is very interesting and could be explained in several respects.
文摘Frequent variations of the wastewater quality and quantity and other uncertain factors are the challenges faced by many wastewater treatment plants during the operation. Sequencing batch biofilm reactor( SBBR) process provides a new idea for an effective solution to this problem. This paper introduces the basic processes and characteristics of the sequencing batch biofilm reactor( SBBR) process,and summarizes the research status of this process in wastewater treatment. Factors affecting the nitrogen and phosphorus removal effect of the SBBR process are also analyzed.
基金funded by the National Science Centre,Poland (the decision nr DEC-2012/07/N/ST8/03201)
文摘A series of investigations were conducted using sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR) to explore the influence of C:N:P ratio on biological dephosphatation including the denitrifying dephosphatation and the denitrification process.Biomass in the reactor occurred mainly in the form of a biofilm attached to completely submerged disks.Acetic acid was used as the source of organic carbon.C:N:P ratios have had a significant effect on the profiles of phosphate release and phosphate uptake and nitrogen removal.The highest rates of phosphate release and phosphate uptake were recorded at the C:N:P ratio of 140:70:7.The C:N ratio of 2.5:1 ensured complete denitrification.The highest rate of denitrification was achieved at the C:N:P ratio of 140:35:7.The increase of nitrogen load caused an increase in phosphates removal until a ratio C:N:P of 140:140:7.Bacteria of the biofilm exposed to alternate conditions of mixing and aeration exhibited enhanced intracellular accumulation of polyphosphates.Also,the structure of the biofilm encouraged anaerobic-aerobic as well as anoxic-anaerobic and absolutely anaerobic conditions in a SBBR.These heterogeneous conditions in the presence of nitrates may be a significant factor determining the promotion of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organism(DNPAO) development.
基金supported by the Project of Nature Scientific Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (No. C2017037)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31501839)
文摘The effects of tourmaline on nitrogen removal performance and biofilm structures were comparatively investigated in two identical laboratory-scale sequencing batch biofilm reactors(SBBRs)(denoted SBBR1 and SBBR2) at different nitrogen loading rates(NLRs) varying from(0.24 ± 0.01) to(1.26 ± 0.02) g N/(L·day). SBBR1 was operated in parallel with SBBR2, but SBBR1 was filled with polyurethane foam loaded tourmaline(TPU) carriers and another(SBBR2) filled with polyurethane foam(PU) carriers. Results obtained from this study showed that the excellent and stable performance of SBBR1 was obtained. Ammonia nitrogen removal and total nitrogen removal were higher in SBBR1 than that in SBBR2 with increase of NLR. At an NLR of(0.24 ± 0.01) g N/(L·day), the majority of the spherical and elliptical bacteria were surrounded by the extracellular polymeric substance(EPS) and bacillus or filamentous bacteria in two SBBRs biofilms. When NLR increased to(1.26 ± 0.02) g N/(L·day), the clusters were more obvious in the SBBR1 biofilm than that in the SBBR2 biofilm. Bacteria in SBBR1 were inclined to synthesis more EPS, and the formed EPS could protect the bacteria from free ammonia(FA) under extreme condition NLR(1.26 ± 0.02) g N/(L·day). The results of polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the microbial community similarity in SBBR2 decreased more obviously than that in SBBR1 with the increase of NLR, which the microbial community in SBBR1 was relatively stable.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.50478053)the National High-Tech Research and Development(863)Program(Grant No.2003AA644010)the National Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(Grant No.04JJ3004,Grant No.05JJ2004).
文摘The nitrogen removal mechanism was studied and analyzed when treating the ammonium-rich landfill leachate by a set of sequencing batch biofilm reactors(SBBRs),which was designed independently.At the liquid temperature of(32P0.4)°C,and after a 58-days domestica-tion period and a 33-days stabilization period,the efficiency of ammonium removal in the SBBR went up to 95%.Highly frequent intermittent aeration suppressed the activity of nitratebacteria,and also eliminated the influence on the activity of anaerobic ammonium oxidation(ANAMMOX)bacteria and nitritebacteria.This influence was caused by the accumulation of nitrous acid and the undulation of pH.During the aeration stage,the concentration of dissolved oxygen was controlled at 1.2-1.4 mg/L.The nitritebacteria became dominant and nitrite accumulated gradually.During the anoxic stage,along with the concentration debasement of the dissolved oxygen,ANAMMOX bacteria became domi-nant;then,the nitrite that was accumulated in the aeration stage was wiped off with ammonium simultaneously.
文摘In this paper, the effect of pH on biological degradation of Microcystis aeruginosa by alga-lysing bacteria in laboratory-scale sequencing batch biofilm reactors (SBBRs) was investigated. After 10 d filming with waste activated sludge, the biological film could be formed, and the bioreactors in which laid polyolefin resin filler were used to treat algal culture. By comparing the removal efficiency of chlorophyll a at different aerobic time, the optimum time was determined as 5 h. Under pH 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 conditions, the removal rates of Microcystis aeruginosa were respectively 75.9%, 83.6%, and 78.3% (in term of chlorophyll a), and that of Chemical Oxygen Demand (CODMn) were 30.6%, 35.8%, and 33.5%. While the removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen (NH+ -N) were all 100%. It was observed that the sequence of the removal efficiencies of algae, NH+ -N and organic matter were pH 7.5 〉 pH 8.5 〉 pH 6.5. The results showed that the dominant alga-lysing bacteria in the SBBRs was strain HM-01, which was identified as Bacillus sp. by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis, and compar- ison with sequences in the GenBank nucleotide database. The algicidal activated substance which HM-01 strain excreted could withstand high temperature and pressure, also had better hydrophily and stronger polarity.
基金supported by the Project of Science and Technology of Zhejiangthe National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50878195)
文摘Removing nitrogen from wastewater with low chemical oxygen demand/total nitrogen (COD/TN) ratio is a difficult task due to the insufficient carbon source available for denitrification. Therefore, in the present work, a novel sequencing batch biofilm reactor (NSBBR) was developed to enhance the nitrogen removal from wastewater with low COD/ TN ratio. The NSBBR was divided into two units separated by a vertical clapboard. Alternate feeding and aeration was performed in the two units, which created an anoxie unit with rich substrate content and an aeration unit deficient in substrate simultaneously. Therefore, the utilization of the influent carbon source for denitrification was increased, leading to higher TN removal compared to conventional SBBR (CSBBR) operation. The results show that the CSBBR removed up to 76.8%, 44.5% and 10.4% of TN, respectively, at three tested COD/TN ratios (9.0, 4.8 and 2.5). In contrast, the TN removal of the NSBBR could reach 81.9%, 60.5% and 26.6%, respectively, at the corresponding COD/TN ratios. Therefore, better TN removal performance could be achieved in the NSBBR, especially at low CODfrN ratios (4.8 and 2.5). Furthermore, it is easy to upgrade a CSBBR into an NSBBR in practice.