KR19990081969A - Methods for Monitoring Biological Activity in Fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for microbiological treatment in a fluid source comprising separating a fluid sample from the fluid source, measuring the pH of the fluid sample at selected time intervals, and then analyzing the pH change of the sample, if any, to determine the rate of pH change. It is about how to monitor. The dissolved oxygen of the sample is also measured at about the same time as the pH measurement at the selected time interval, and if there is a change, the dissolved oxygen change is analyzed to determine the biological oxygen consumption rate for the sample.

Description

Methods for Monitoring Biological Activity in Fluids

Microbial use of organic and inorganic substrates in metabolic processes can result in detectable changes in measurable parameters such as pH and oxygen utilization.

If nitriding was the predominant reaction in microbial culture, the production of hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) from nitrification was expected to be markedly reduced upon the consumption of readily available ammonia (NH ₄ ⁺ ) below some metabolic threshold level. As a result, the activity of hydrogen ions in the solution, that is, pH, was also expected to change.

Similarly, oxygen utilization of microbial cultures was expected to be higher in readily available and abundant conditions than in conditions where exogenous organic substrates are depleted below some metabolically significant level. In both examples, the measurable pH change rate, sometimes referred to below as "pH production rate" or "pHPR" and the use of oxygen referred to as "biological oxygen consumption rate" or "BOCR" below, are directly dependent on substrate metabolic rate over time. Affected by Thus, assuming that pH change and oxygen consumption in the medium are solely due to microbial metabolic activity, pHPR and BOCR could theoretically be used to represent metabolically important transition points in microbial processes. pHPR is defined as d (pH) / dt or -Δ (pH) / Δt and BOCR is defined as d (DO) / dt or -Δ (DO) / Δt. Negative slope of pH and / or DO results in positive pHPR and / or BOCR size.

Summary of the Invention

The method of the present invention involves separating a fluid sample from a fluid feed such as wastewater during purification. pHPR is calculated from pH measurements made from fluid samples and analyzed for rapid measurement when metabolically important transition points occur. The analysis indicates what adjustment steps are required and when they should be given to maximize the efficiency of the monitored process.

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring metabolic critical transition points and regulating microbiological processes during microbial metabolism of organic and inorganic substrates.

1 is a graph illustrating the Michaelis-Menten theory of reaction kinetics.

FIG. 2 shows the pH change rate (pHPR) of a mixed liquid sample as concentration of ammonia (NH ₄ ⁺ ) and organocarbonaceous material, referred to collectively as BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), which is a change over time in microbiological treatment. A graph showing the theoretical response of oxygen utilization (BOCR).

FIG. 3 shows the pH change rate (pHPR) of a mixed liquid sample as concentration of ammonia (NH ₄ ⁺ ) and organic carbonaceous material, referred to collectively as BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), which is a change over time in microbiological treatment. A graph showing the theoretical response of oxygen utilization (BOCR).

4 is a schematic front view of an example of an apparatus that may be used to separate and monitor a fluid sample from a fluid feed in a bioreactor tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 graphically illustrates the relationship between BOCR in which oxygen saturation per minute is expressed as a percentage change and the rate of change of oxygen between the stop and start of aeration.

FIG. 6 graphically illustrates the relationship between pHPR, expressed as a change in pH per minute with ammonia concentration change, and a change in pH between onset and onset of aeration.

FIG. 7 graphically depicts the relationship between pHPR and ammonia concentration, expressed as pH change per minute when COD is not a metabolic limiting factor.

FIG. 8 graphically illustrates the relationship between BOCR and ammonia concentrations expressed as% change in oxygen saturation per minute when COD is not metabolic limiting factor.

9 shows the response of pHPR expressed as pH change per minute under various conditions of ammonia and COD availability.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between pHPR expressed as pH change per minute, BOCR expressed as% change in oxygen saturation per minute, and ammonia concentration and COD under various conditions of ammonia and COD availability.

11 is a graph of DO and pH change versus time under continuous aeration.

12 is a graph of pH, NH ₃ -N concentration and d (pH) / dt versus time.

13 is a graph of DO and d (DO) / dt versus time.

The mechanistic rate at which the biochemical reaction proceeds can be partially explained by the Michaelis-Menten theory described in FIG. 1. This theory is very low at substrate concentrations where biochemical reaction rates are very low, but the rate is at or above the point where no small increase in reaction rate is lost, regardless of how much substrate concentration increases as substrate concentration increases. Increases. In other words, no matter how much substrate concentration increases beyond this advantage, the rate of reaction will approach a steady state but never reach. This stagnation state is the maximum reaction rate or V _max . This is linear extrapolation corresponding to the substrate concentration equal to 2K _s . K _s is the substrate concentration at which the metabolic rate is half the maximum rate (V _max ).

Therefore, 2K _s is an important substrate concentration at metabolic time. Microbial metabolism of the substrate proceeds more than 2K _s at maximum and nearly constant rate. Metabolic reaction rates can be variable and are limited by substrate availability up to 2K _s . As a result, any measurable parameter change that is directly affected by and / or associated with the microbial metabolic rate of a particular inorganic and organic substrate can be expected to change as the concentration of a particular substrate changes. In particular, the rate of change measured in this parameter is expected to be relatively constant over time and in terms of ancillary measurable parameters and / or time at substrate concentrations equal to or greater than 2K _s . As the substrate concentration was reduced below 2K _s , the incidental measurable parameter and / or the rate of change measured in this parameter was expected to be significantly different from the value measured when the substrate concentration was equal to or higher than 2K _s .

In many biological reactions, it is desirable to measure at the point where a particular substrate has been consumed at metabolic levels below the 2K _s concentration. As the concentrations of specific organic and inorganic substrates change, it is possible to detect changes in the pattern of metabolic behavior of microbial cultures by monitoring changes in certain incidental parameters.

For example, many wastewater purification treatments aim to reduce certain organic and inorganic substrate concentrations to very low levels. These substrates typically include organic substrates referred to and measured collectively as BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) and / or COD (chemical oxygen demand) and inorganic ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ). If nitrification and BOD / COD reduction are the two most preferred reactions, the characteristic change is expected to occur in both oxygen utilization (BOCR) and pH change (pHPR) when BOD and ammonia are depleted below 2K _s , respectively. .

The drawback of using BOCR and pHPR as the control parameters is that the pH and DO changes of the fluid in the continuous wastewater treatment process can affect many factors such as the concentration of nutrients (biodegradable carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus compounds, etc.), biomass concentrations, alkalinity, etc. Depends on. These factors change constantly as the wastewater passes through the treatment plant. Thus, too many unknown and disturbing factors of constant change make it difficult to obtain a relationship between measured parameters and wastewater purification performance. If these disturbances cannot be detected or kept constant during pH and DO measurements, the pHPR and BOCR measurements will not provide much valuable information on wastewater treatment performance.

The use of biological activity detection devices as described in US Pat. No. 5,466,604, incorporated herein by reference, allows for the in situ separation of wastewater samples from wastewater subjects under treatment. Of course, other devices may also be used in accordance with the present invention. In addition, the term “in situ” is used to describe any real-time fluid sample separation process, regardless of whether the sample remains in the subject of the fluid, eg, wastewater. . In other words, the device can be used to physically remove the sample from the fluid body as long as the measurement can be made substantially in real time and / or on-line.

Theoretical responses of BOCR and pHPR to changes in BOD and ammonia (NH ₄ ⁺ ) concentrations are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and described below. The figure is a graph showing the response from a single sample of mixed liquid (ie wastewater) and microbial for biological nutrient removal (BNR) isolated from the wastewater subject. Separated samples are not selectively aerated or aerated. The aeration begins and continues until the dissolved oxygen level reaches a limit above the DO level of the wastewater body. Once this level is reached, the aeration stops and begins only when the dissolved oxygen level in the sample reaches a limit below the DO level of the wastewater subject. For periods without aeration, both BOCR and pHPR are evaluated and calculated as follows:

BOCR =-(ΔDO) / (Δt)

Where ΔDO is the change in saturation level of dissolved oxygen, expressed as% saturation and measured over time Δt.

pHPR =-(ΔpH) / (Δt)

Where ΔpH is the pH change observed over time Δt.

As shown in period A of Figures 2 and 3, BOCRs are constant and at their highest relative levels when both NH ₄ ⁺ and BOD concentrations are above their respective 2K _s values, which means that BOD utilization proceeds at full speed and oxygen nitride consumption This is because you win the competition beyond the reaction. The pHPR is therefore constant at moderate levels. In addition to these BOCR / pHPR patterns, the following are described: 1) Nitriding and BOD utilization are predominant reactions in biological samples, 2) hydrogen ion production and activity are related to nitrification kinetics, and 3) reactions are oxygen availability. It is assumed not to be limited by.

Subsequently, subsequent metabolism drops the available NH ₄ ⁺ below the 2K _s value and the rate of nitriding, hydrogen ion production, falls below the maximum rate when the ammonia concentration is a metabolic limiting factor. As shown in period B of FIG. 2, pHPR drops significantly to relatively low levels and BOCR drops to relatively moderate levels to reflect the reduced demand and use of oxygen caused by very low nitriding reaction rates. Changes of more than 2K _s value at 2K _s or more ammonia concentration value is shown as a transition between periods A and B in Figure 2;

Case 2 and the period of Figure 3 C is a concentration of the available NH ₄ ⁺ than 2K _s value and be BOD are consumed to less than 2K _s value, pHPR is much less to reflect total metabolic changes in behavior of the mixed biological communities BOCR increases and falls at the lowest rate to reflect very low oxygen use by BOD consumption and nitriding reactions. This change is shown between periods B and C in FIG.

But also the period D of 3, the BOD concentration of less than 2K _s value when the concentration of NH ₄ ⁺ than 2K _s value, pHPR increases to its highest level reflecting a high nitriding rate and BOCR is by BOD consuming reactions of a reduced level Falls to a moderate level reflecting a net decrease in total oxygen use that occurs. The highest pHPR appears under these conditions because there is no buffering effect of the BOD consumption reaction. Normally, the production of CO ₂ in the BOD consumption reaction gives the sample some pH buffering capacity through the carbonic acid system. Thus, in the absence of the BOD consumption reaction and consequently CO ₂ production, the pHPR is much larger than in other conditions.

Since BOCR and pHPR are the main measurable and ancillary parameters of microbial metabolic activity, it is possible to measure appropriate information about biological samples based on the examples provided above by monitoring and comparing trends and / or levels of BOCR and pHPR. In particular, the examples are: 1) that the nitrification and BOD removal occurs at the same time at the maximum speed, and 2) that the nitrification occurs while the BOD is reduced to below 2K _s value, 3) while the ammonia is reduced to less than 2K _s value BOD removal Explain how measurements are made on whether the reaction is in progress and 4) both ammonia and BOD are reduced below their respective 2K _s values.

Direct and continuous comparison of measured parameters BOCR with pHPR leads to some conclusions about wastewater conditions. If the mixed liquid sample is continuously monitored and a large increase in pHPR occurs simultaneously with the decrease in BOCR, this indicates that ammonia is sufficient but the BOD is consumed below 2K _s . If the mixed liquid sample is continuously monitored and the pHPR decreases to near zero, while the BOCR decreases to moderate, this indicates that BOD is sufficient by then but ammonia is consumed below the 2K _s value. If the mixed liquid sample is continuously monitored and BOCR is reduced to low levels and pHPR is also reduced to low levels, this indicates that ammonia and BOD are consumed below 2K _s value respectively. This condition is also shown to decrease BOCR to low levels and increase pHPR from near zero to slightly higher but lower levels.

Table 1 summarizes these patterns and explains how the comparison of the patterns with the relative values of the measured parameters of BOCR and pHPR yields the appropriate information described above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.

term Concentrations of BOD and NH ₄ ⁺ Measured parameters Relative value of measured parameter BOD NH4 A > 2K _S > 2K _S BOCR height pHPR middle B > 2K _S <2K _S BOCR middle pHPR Near 0 C <2K _S <2K _S BOCR lowness pHPR lowness D <2K _S > 2K _S BOCR middle pHPR height

4 shows an example of a preferred apparatus used to separate wastewater samples. The device 11 contained in the wastewater arrangement 2 (only a portion of which is shown) comprises a detection chamber 8 with a movable cover 32. The movable cover 32 is pushed in the direction of arrow "A" by the inner shaft 56 driven by the pole shaft 57 connected to the motor 53. In the open position, rotation of the propeller 48 forces the wastewater exchange between the interior and exterior of the detection chamber 8 and the detection chamber 8 is filled with fresh wastewater samples. After a given period of time, for example 30 seconds, the motor 53 is programmed to reverse its direction of rotation and the movable cover 32 is pulled in the direction of arrow "B" until the detection chamber 8 is completely closed and sealed. Lose. The movable cover 32 and the propeller 40 are driven by the same reversely rotatable low RPM motor 53 which connects the inner shaft 56 and the outer shaft 55 coaxially. The coaxial assembly is protected by stainless steel pipe 54.

The DO concentration is detected by the DO probe 10 after filling the detection chamber 8 with a new wastewater sample, and if DO is less than the oxygen concentration in the wastewater subject by given limits, air and / or oxygen may reach the DO concentration. Pump into the detection chamber (8) through the aeration tube (13) until Given the limitations, DO concentrations above or below the oxygen concentration in the wastewater subject ensure that the aerobic metabolic reaction inside the detection chamber 8 is equal to or close to the nutrient removal process in the wastewater subject. Similarly, the pH probe 12 detects a pH change. In addition, the propeller 48 can be rotated periodically or constantly to maintain a sample of well mixed and suspended conditions.

The aeration in the device 11 is stopped during the measurement interval after the maximum DO concentration is reached. During this period, the residual DO concentration and pH, which are not significantly affected by the aeration of the wastewater batch, are monitored through the probe. The pH and residual DO signals from each of the probes 12 and 10 convert the DO change over time to BOCR and the pH change over time to pHPR by differentiation according to equations (6) and (7) described above. Is passed to the controller.

In most wastewater treatment plants, the final emission BOD and ammonia concentrations are below 2K _{s for} both BOD and NH ₄ ⁺ . When the BOD and NH ₄ ⁺ concentrations in the detection chamber decrease below the 2K _s value, the aerobic metabolic reaction for nutrient removal is considered complete with large changes in the BOCR and pHPR values. Completion of aerobic metabolic reactions for nutrient removal can be detected via BOCR and pHPR according to the criteria listed in Table 1. For other biological treatments, the concentration of substrate in the medium is usually significantly higher than the 2K _s value to maintain the maximum rate of microbial growth and production of the target material. Thus, the detection of the completion of metabolic reactions refers to the time for collecting the target substance produced during the treatment or the time to stop the addition of the substrate or the addition of the substrate or the biological treatment.

Information about aerobic metabolic reactions for nutrient removal, such as nitrification complete time (NT), denitrification time (DNT), etc., can be used to adjust and regulate wastewater purification and other aerobic metabolic processes. For example, the measured NT can be compared to the average hydraulic holding time of the wastewater in the aeration tank of the wastewater treatment plant. If NT is much shorter than HRT, the aerobic nutrient removal ends in the aeration tank middle zone. The remaining aeration tanks after the nutrient removal zone is virtually insignificant and do not contribute to the wastewater purification process. In this case, the facility may (1) remove certain portions of the aeration tank from service to reduce operating costs and / or (2) receive more wastewater to effectively increase the treatment efficiency of the facility and / or (3) NT Appropriate actions may be taken, such as reducing the amount of air supplied to the aeration tank to reduce the rate of aerobic metabolic reactions in close coordination with the HRT in the aeration tank to reduce power consumption by the air blower.

Example 1

A device for measuring the sample pH and dissolved oxygen saturation levels of mixed liquid samples recovered from an aerobic bath at an advanced biological wastewater treatment plant in Oaks, Pennsylvania, as well as for aeration and maintenance of samples under well mixed conditions. Separated from the container. Data from the device for measuring sample pH and dissolved oxygen saturation levels were recorded and analyzed by computer to calculate BOCR and pHPR. Samples were exposed to alternating periods of fixed, aeration and nonaeration conditions. The aeration was started and continued until the dissolved oxygen level reached a significant limit of what is in the wastewater subject when the sample separated. Once this level was reached, the aeration was stopped and aeration started only when the dissolved oxygen level fell by a limit lower than the subject DO of the wastewater at the time of sample separation. The concentrations of NH ₄ ⁺ and soluble carbonaceous organic substrates were measured and reported as COD. A linear correlation existed between COD and BOD. Therefore, COD analysis was used to indicate BOD concentration. Examples of BOCR and pHPR indicated by arrows in FIGS. 5 and 6 during the non-aeration period were evaluated and calculated by the above described derivatives.

Figure 5 is a saturated dissolved oxygen over the test period in the case that varies in a concentration of up to 2K _s value 2K _s value of the ammonia concentration but larger constant than 150mg COD / L or higher for the measured COD concentration of COD of at least 2K _s concentration and BOCR is shown. 5 shows the relationship between the original dissolved oxygen data and BOCR, which is the rate of oxygen change between stopping and starting aeration as shown. 5 also illustrates the change in BOCR level from high to medium during metabolically important transitions when ammonia concentration drops below its 2K _s value. BOCR is expressed as% change in oxygen saturation per minute.

FIG. 6 shows sample pH and pHPR for the same period as shown in FIG. 5. During this period the measured COD concentration was only keotji more constant than COD 150mg / L or higher 2K _s value of ammonia concentration on the COD was changed to below 2K _s or more from the value 2K _s value. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the pH change and the pH change between the original pH data, ie stop and start of aeration as shown. FIG. 6 also illustrates the pHPR change from medium to nearly zero during metabolically important transitions when the ammonia concentration drops below the 2K _s value. pHPR is expressed as pH change per minute.

FIG. 7 shows the ammonia level measured and the calculated pHPR change measured over the same period as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 illustrates the change in pHPR from the medium to nearly zero level while the ammonia concentration varies from about 2K _s to 2K _s or less. pHPR is expressed as pH change per minute.

Figure 8 is a to that of the period the ammonia levels and shows the calculated BOCR change 8 measured over the same is at a high level during the ammonia concentration varied from above 2K _s to 2K _s or less until the mid-level BOCR shown in Figure 5 The change is explained BOCR is expressed as% change in oxygen saturation per minute.

9 is a graph depicting the consistency of the response of pHPR to ammonia concentration. This was done by adding an ammonia solution to the mixed liquid sample at the point where the ammonia contained in the sample was consumed, that is, at T = 120 and T = 170 minutes. From the period between T = 0 and T = 195 minutes, the COD concentration dropped below the 2K _s value. An important change can be observed in pHPR as the ammonia concentration drops below its 2K _s value at about T = 90 minutes.

The next addition of ammonia was made at T = 120 and T = 170 when the pHPR was near zero. 9 shows that the pHPR rises to a relatively moderate level, as observed between T = 0 and T = 90 minutes at nearly zero levels immediately before each subsequent addition. After subsequent ammonia addition, pHPR returns to near zero or lower levels when ammonia is consumed below the 2K _s value. COD was abundant and ammonia consumption led to a decrease in pHPR from T = 120 minutes to nearly zero for the first ammonia addition. Ammonia consumption occurred at the time when the COD concentration was consumed below 2K _s value for the second ammonia addition at T = 170 minutes. As a result, the pHPR decreases to a non-zero low level as shown in period C of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 10 provides a more complete form of the data shown in FIG. 9 including calculated pHPR, calculated BOCR, ammonia and COD concentrations. 10 illustrates the variation in pHPR and BOCR between different relative levels when significant metabolism occurs.

By monitoring the relative levels of BOCR and pHPR in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to quickly and accurately identify the moment when the concentrations of organic substrates and / or inorganic substrates fall below the 2K _s level, respectively, as demonstrated by this example. Detecting the consumption of specific substrates below their respective metabolically significant 2K _s concentration values often indicates significant changes in microbial community or conditions of these environments or changes in metabolic patterns and / or habits of active microbial containing samples.

Various adjustment steps may be taken in response that depend on the specific treatment. For example, the consumption of certain substrates in microbial populations indicates metabolic changes, indicating that some secondary metabolite production occurs and therefore the treatment should proceed to the separation, collection and / or purification steps. Similarly, the ability to detect the consumption of substrates below 2K _s concentration in biological treatments aimed at maintaining a particular stage feeding protocol of the substrate in the microbial population may result in substrate feeding when substrate addition increases substrate concentration above 2K _s . Can be used to indicate determining an increase or decrease.

Example 1 includes aerobic biological wastewater purification where the purpose is to reduce certain inorganic and organic substrates through biological mechanisms such as reducing soluble ammonia and carbonaceous organics. Thus, various control steps may be performed in response to the consumption of one or more of these substrates below its 2K _s or less when the concentration of the low concentration level targeted for many substrates 2K _s concentration. For example, if organic and inorganic (ammonia) substrates are found to be below the 2K _s concentration value, respectively, the flow rate may increase over the wastewater treatment process, thereby increasing the capacity of the treatment plant. If both organic and inorganic substrates are found to be above the 2K _s concentration value, the flow rate may be reduced throughout the wastewater treatment. When the ammonia substrate is below 2K _s but the organic substrate is above 2K _s, the aeration of the batch can be reduced because of the reduced need for nitriding. Finally, if the organic substrate is below 2K _s and the ammonia substrate is above 2K _{s, the} aeration can be increased to create better nitriding conditions.

Example 2

In Example 2, the mixed liquid sample was separated in the same manner as described in Example 1. Continuous aeration for the mixed liquid sample was maintained over a period of time during which the sample maintained separation. The aeration rate was chosen such that the dissolved oxygen concentration level in the sample was greater than the threshold required for biological carbonaceous nutrients and ammonia removal. Oxygen concentrations and pH changes were monitored with dissolved oxygen probes and pH probes as shown in FIG. 11.

A small amount of mixed liquid was periodically withdrawn from the separated sample to analyze the ammonia concentration. 12 shows changes in pH and ammonia concentration during the entire aeration period during which samples are separated. Termination of nitriding (ammonia concentration below detection level ie 0.1 ppm) was achieved by slow increase in pH value.

D (pH) / dt, the derivative of pH over time, was plotted and shown in FIG. 12. When the ammonia concentration approached zero, the value of d (pH) / dt passed through the second zero point. As with the second point zero, the characteristic of d (pH) / dt can also be referred to as the point at which d (pH) / dt changes from a negative value to zero. The time corresponding to this point is defined as the nitriding completion time or NT of the mixed liquid. In Example 2, NT is measured at about 75 minutes as shown in FIG. 12. The d (pH) / dt measurement in Example 2 is different from that in Example 1. In Example 1 d (pH) / dt was measured during the non-aeration period, while in Example 2 d (pH) / dt was measured with continuous aeration. It is possible to show a pH reduction in the pH measurement because of the continuous removal of CO ₂ from the mixed liquid. Thus, pHPR is sometimes negative.

FIG. 13 shows the dissolved oxygen profile of the same sample and its derivative d (DO) / dt. As ammonia was consumed, the value of DO's first derivative d (DO) / dt began to increase significantly. The nitride time (NT) value measured from DO was also about 75 minutes.

The practical application of NT measurements in the regulation of biological nitriding processes is described below. In a bioreactor or series of bioreactors in which a biological nitriding treatment takes place, a sampling device is installed in front of the first bioreactor during the first portion or line of the bioreactor. The measured NT indicates that NT will take time to complete nitrification at the current biomass concentration and ammonia loading.

The hydraulic holding time (HRT) of the mixed liquid in the bioreactor or series of bioreactors is calculated by considering the flow rate and flow pattern of the mixed liquid and the placement of the bioreactor or series of bioreactors. NT is compared to the hydraulic hold time of the mixed liquid. Moderate nitriding processes have comparable values of NT and HRT in daily operations. When NT is much smaller than HRT, nitriding terminates in a bioreactor or series of bioreactors before a given HRT, meaning that the process has extra nitriding capacity. NT detection indicates the end of the wastewater treatment process if other contaminants are removed before the ammonia is completely nitrified. This indicates that the process can treat more wastewater with a given tank plant volume under the same operating conditions, or the process can reduce tank volume and slightly reduce operating costs in operation.

On the other hand, if NT is longer than HRT, the ammonia concentration is greater than zero but not necessarily higher than the runoff threshold. The aeration rate and / or the mixed liquid concentration for the bioreactor is increased to ensure plant emissions. If NT is greater than HRT for an extended period, this will overload the process with regard to ammonia removal and the treatment plant will easily scale up to treat a given amount of wastewater.

In general, comparing NT and HRT, information such as the nitriding capacity of the process, the aeration rate required for the bioreactor or series of bioreactors, and the waste properties from the bioreactor are measured and sent to the plant operator for control of the nitriding process.

The present invention is not intended to be limited to any type of microbial treatment, including but not limited to wastewater purification (city, industry, etc.), pharmaceutical / biotechnical manufacturing, brewing, fermentation or other processes involving a pure or mixed group of microorganisms. Can be.

Claims (35)

a) separating the fluid sample from the fluid source; b) measuring the pH of the fluid sample at selected time intervals; c) analyzing the pH change to determine the rate of change of pH for the sample; d) measuring the dissolved oxygen amount of the fluid sample at a selected time interval approximately simultaneously with the pH measurement; e) A method of monitoring microbiological processing in a fluid source having a microbial population comprising analyzing dissolved oxygen changes to determine biological oxygen consumption rates for the sample. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the pH change to measure the rate of change of pH is performed by the following equation. pHPR = (dpH) / (dt) Here, pHPR is the pH change rate, dpH is the pH change, and dt is the time change, and both dpH and dt approach zero. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement of pH and dissolved oxygen is substantially continuous. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analysis of DO change to measure biological oxygen consumption rate is performed by the following equation. BOCR = (dDO) / (dt) Where BOCR is the biological consumption rate, dDO is the dissolved oxygen change, and dt is the time change and both dDO and dt approach zero. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating steps b) through e) at selected time intervals, and comparing the previously measured pH change rate and biological oxygen consumption rate with the newly measured pH change rate and biological oxygen consumption rate. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing the previously measured pH change rate and biological oxygen consumption rate with the newly measured pH change rate and biological oxygen consumption rate indicates that the level of organic and inorganic compounds in the fluid source is greater or less than each 2K _s concentration. To measure. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a conditioning step in response to a change in the rate of pH change and / or the rate of biological oxygen control, if any. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the fluid source is aerated and has a fluid source treatment flow, wherein the adjusting step increases the aeration of the fluid source, reduces the aeration of the fluid source, increases the fluid source treatment flow, At least one treatment selected from the group consisting of reducing the fluid source treatment flow. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein a feeding protocol for substrate addition is present for the microbial population and the controlling step comprises diversifying the substrate addition. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said microbiological treatment produces a desired metabolite and wherein said conditioning step comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of separation of said metabolite from said fluid source, collection of said metabolite and purification of said metabolite. How to be a step. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of separating the fluid sample is performed in situ. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid sample contains a predetermined dissolved oxygen content prior to measuring the pH and dissolved oxygen amount. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid sample is separated from the fluid sample chamber, the fluid sample chamber comprising a ventilator and a sample stirrer capable of supplying air and / or oxygen to the fluid sample. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sample is separated into the sample container and the sample is further aerated with the fluid sample for the entire period of time during which the dissolved oxygen and pH of the sample are continuously measured while the sample is continuously stirred. How to include. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid sample is aerated into the ventilator until the fluid sample contains a predetermined level of dissolved oxygen prior to measuring the pH and dissolved oxygen amount of the fluid sample, Stirring the sample with the stirrer periodically and continuously during the step of measuring the amount of dissolved oxygen. The method of claim 1 which is applied to a microbiological treatment selected from the group consisting of wastewater purification, pharmaceutical preparation and brewing. a) separating the fluid sample from the fluid source; b) measuring the pH of the fluid sample at selected time intervals; c) analyzing the pH change to measure the pH production rate of the sample; d) the pH product is measured when 1) changes from negative to zero and / or 2) changes to zero for a second time; e) monitoring the microbiological treatment at a fluid source having a microbial population comprising displaying the results from said measurement. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein measuring the change in pH by analyzing the change in pH is performed by the following formula. pHPR = (dpH) / (dt) Here, pHPR is the pH change rate, dpH is the pH change, and dt is the time change, and both dpH and dt approach zero. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the measurement of pH and dissolved oxygen is substantially continuous. The method of claim 17, f) measuring the amount of dissolved oxygen in the fluid sample at a selected time interval approximately simultaneously with the pH measurement; g) analyzing the dissolved oxygen change to determine the biological oxygen consumption rate for the sample. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein analyzing the DO change to determine biological oxygen consumption rate is performed by the formula BOCR = (dDO) / (dt) Where BOCR is the biological consumption rate, dDO is the dissolved oxygen change, and dt is the time change and both dDO and dt approach zero. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising repeating steps a) through e) at selected time intervals and comparing the newly measured pH production rate with the newly measured pH production rate. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising repeating steps a) through e) at selected time intervals and comparing the already measured pH production rate and biological oxygen consumption rate with the newly measured pH production rate and biological oxygen consumption rate. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising performing a step of adjusting in response to the change in pH production rate. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the fluid source is aerated and has a fluid source treatment flow, wherein the adjusting step increases the aeration of the fluid source, reduces the aeration of the fluid source, increases the fluid source treatment flow, At least one treatment selected from the group consisting of reducing the fluid source treatment flow. 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said adjusting step measures nitriding time according to the elapsed time between sample separation and pH production rate that varies from said negative value to zero and / or to zero for a second time, and at said fluid source Measuring a hydraulic hold time and comparing the nitriding time to the hydraulic hold time. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the adjusting step increases the fluid input rate to the fluid source or reduces the aeration rate for the fluid source when the nitriding time is less than the hydraulic holding time or the nitriding time is the hydraulic holding time. Increasing the aeration rate of the fluid source when greater. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of separating the fluid sample is performed in situ. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fluid sample contains dissolved oxygen content of 0-100% saturation prior to said step of measuring pH and dissolved oxygen content. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fluid sample is separated from the fluid sample chamber, the fluid sample chamber comprising a ventilator and a sample stirrer capable of supplying air and / or oxygen to the fluid sample. 33. The method of claim 30, wherein when the sample is separated by a limit prior to measuring the pH of the fluid sample, the aeration of the fluid sample with the ventilator is carried out until the fluid sample contains a level of dissolved oxygen greater than the DO level of the sample. And periodically stirring the sample with the stirrer during the step of measuring the pH of the fluid sample. 18. The method according to claim 17, which is applied to a microbiological treatment selected from the group consisting of wastewater purification, pharmaceutical preparation and brewing. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising separating the sample into the sample container and aeration of the fluid sample into the ventilator for an entire period of time during which the dissolved oxygen and pH of the sample are continuously measured while the sample is continuously stirred. How to include. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising aeration of said fluid sample almost continuously. a) separating the fluid sample from the fluid source; b) measuring the pH of the fluid sample at selected time intervals; c) analyzing the pH change to determine the pH production rate for the sample; d) the pH production rate is measured when 1) changes from negative to zero and / or 2) changes to zero for a second time; e) performing a conditioning step in response to a change in pH production rate; The adjusting step, f) measuring nitriding time according to elapsed time between sample separation and pH production rate that changes from a negative value to zero and / or changes to zero for a second time; g) measuring the hydraulic holding time of the fluid supply source and comparing the hydraulic holding time with the nitriding time; h) Increase the fluid input rate to the fluid source, or reduce the aeration rate of the fluid source when the nitriding time is less than the hydraulic holding time, or increase the aeration rate of the fluid source when the nitriding time is greater than the hydraulic holding time. A method of monitoring and controlling microbiological treatment of a fluid source having a population of microorganisms comprising increasing.