Fast start-up of the single-stage nitrogen removal using anammox and partial nitritation (SNAP) from conventional activated sludge in a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor

The single-stage nitrogen removal using anammox and partial nitritation (SNAP) is a promising alternative for low-cost ammonium removal from wastewaters. This study aimed to evaluate the anammox biomass enrichment and SNAP process start-up in a laboratory-scale membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) at nitrogen loading rates of 50 g N.m−3.d−1 (period 1) and 100 g N.m−3.d−1 (period 2). Anammox activity was observed after 48 days, and the SNAP process was stable after 80 days. In period 1, the average total nitrogen (TN) removal was 78 ± 6%, and the maximum removal was 84%. In period 2, the average TN removal was 61 ± 5%, and the maximum was 69%. Higher dissolved oxygen levels may have caused imbalances in the microbial community in period 2, decreasing the reactor performance. These results demonstrated the potential of the MABR for the fast implementation of the single-stage partial nitritation and anammox processes.