Analele Universit ii Constantin Brncu i din Trgu Jiu, Seria Inginerie, Nr.

1/2009

STUDIU ASUPRA UNOR TEHNOLOGII DE DENITRIFICARE A APEI POTABILE Conf. univ. dr. Daniela Crn, Universitatea Constantin Brncui din Trgu-Jiu

STUDY ON SOME TECHNOLOGIES OF DENITRIFICATION OF DRINKABLE WATER Assoc. Prof. PhD. Daniela Crn, Constantin Brncui University of TrguJiu

Rezumat Concentraiile crescute de azotai n apa subteran au fcut inutilizabile unele acvifere ca surs de ap potabil. n comunitile care utilizau foraje de ap poluat cu azotai i care din acest motiv au fost nchise, se confrunt n prezent cu nevoia regenerrii resurselor de ap. Pe de alt parte, apele de suprafa prezint depiri sezoniere ale concentraiilor de azotai. Ca urmare, interesul pentru ndeprtarea azotailor din apa brut a devenit unul important. Obiectivul prezentei lucrri este de a evidenia i a compara diverse tehnologii de tratare disponibile pentru ndeprtarea azotailor din ap, urmrite din punct de vedere al eficienei, uurinei de exploatare i a costurilor lor. Cuvinte cheie: ape subterane, azotati, regenerarea resurselor de apa, ape de suprafata, indepartarea azotatilor din apa bruta.

Abstract Increased nitrates densities in the underground waters made unusable some water-bearing as source of drinkable water. In the communities that used drilling of water polluted with nitrates and which, for this reason, have been closed, faces today the necessity of regeneration of water resources. On the other side, surface waters present seasonal exceeding of nitrates densities. As a result, the interest for nitrates alienation from raw water becomes an important one. The objective of the present paper is to underline and compare different treatment technologies that are available for the alienation of the nitrates from the water, followed from the point of view of efficiency, ease of exploitation and their costs. Key words: underground waters, nitrates, regeneration of water resources, surface waters, alienation of nitrates from raw water.

1. Introducere Concentraiile ridicate de azotai n sursele de ap potabil prezint un risc potenial pentru sntatea public. Concentraiile de fond ale azotailor n apele de suprafa sunt n general sub 5 mg/l NO3-N, n apele subterane ns se constat adesea concentraii mai mari. Apele uzate oreneti ar putea s contribuie cu pn la 40% din coninutul de azotai prezeni n apele de suprafa. Concentraiile acestora au crescut n urma folosirii mai intense a ngrmintelor cu azot, a modificrilor n structura folosirii terenurilor agricole, precum i n urma recirculrii sporite a apelor uzate menajere. Dei se consider c azotaii sunt relativ netoxici pentru aduli, fiind eliminai repede prin rinichi, concentraiile de peste 10 mg/l

1. Introduction The increased densities of nitrates in drinkable water sources present a potential risk for public health. The basic densities of the nitrates in the surface waters are generally under 5 mg/l NO3--N, but in the underground waters, often can be seen higher densities. Municipal used waters might contribute with up to 40% at the content of nitrates that are present in the surface waters. Their densities increased as a result of the more intense usage of nitrate fertilizers, of the modification in the structure of usage of agricultural fields, as well as a result of increased recirculation of domestic used waters. Even if it is considered that nitrates are relatively not toxic for adults, being fast eliminated trough kidneys, densities over 10 mg/l NO3--N can be lethal for children that

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NO3--N pot fi fatale pentru copiii mai mici de ase luni. n organismul copiilor mici, NO3este redus la NO2-, care se combin cu hemoglobina din snge formnd methemoglobina. Aceasta conduce la o stare cunoscut sub numele de boala albastr sau methemoglobinemie. n literatura de specialitate exist numeroase informaii privind gradul de poluare cu azotai al surselor de ap brut, neeexistnd ns un studiu detaliat al diverselor tehnologii de ndeprtare a azotailor din ap. Azotatul este un ion stabil i foarte solubil, cu un potenial sczut de coprecipitare sau de adsorbie. Aceste proprieti l fac dificil de ndeprtat prin tehnologii clasice de tratare a apei, precum dedurizarea cu var i filtrarea [1,2]. Legislaia Comunitii Economice Europene pentru azotai n apa de but stabilete un nivel maxim admisibil de 1,3 mg/l exprimat ca azot (5,7 mg/l ca NO3-) i un nivel orientativ de 5,65 mg/l ca azot (25 mg/l ca NO3-). Se cunosc mai multe tehnologii care s-au dovedit a fi adecvate pentru rezolvarea problemei de a aduce nivelul azotailor la acela al standardelor Comunitii Europene dintre care pot fi menionate ndeosebi schimbul ionic, epurarea biologic i osmoza invers. Osmoza invers devine tot mai eficient economic pentru tratarea apelor cu coninut sczut de silice, totui cheltuielile de exploatare sunt nc destul de ridicate pentru a-i descuraja pe cei mai muli utilizatori poteniali [3]. Epurarea biologic folosete bacteriile denitrificatoare care reduc azotaii la azot gazos. Ea comport adugarea unei surse de carbon cum ar fi metanolul sau acidul acetic. Doza de substan organic trebuie controlat atent, deoarece n caz de exces apa devine necorespunztoare pentru consum uman. Apa tratat biologic ar putea, de asemenea, s conin spori ai microorganismelor anaerobe, astfel nct ea trebuie reaerat, sterilizat, iar suspensiile prezente trebuie ndeprtate prin flocu1are i filtrare. Pe de alt parte reacia

are less than six months. In the organism of small children, NO3- is reduced to NO2-, which combines with the hemoglobin in the blood, forming methemoglobin. This leads to a status that is known with the name of blue disease or methemoglobinemia. In the specialty literature there are numerous information regarding the nitrates pollution degree of the raw water sources, not existing a detailed study of the diverse technologies of alienation of nitrates from the water. Nitrate is a stable and very soluble ion, with a low potential of co-precipitation or absorption. These properties make him hard to alienate by classical technologies of water treatment, as purification with lime and filtration [1,2]. The legislation of the European Economic Community for nitrates in the drinking water establishes a maximum admissible level of 1,3 mg/l expressed as nitrogen (5,7 mg/l as NO3-) and a guiding level of 5,65 mg/l as nitrogen (25 mg/l as NO3-). There are known several technologies that proved to be adequate to solve the problem and bring the level of nitrates to that of the standards of the European Community from which can be mentioned especially the ionic exchange, biological purification and reverse osmosis. The reverse osmosis becomes more and more efficient from the economic point of view for the treatment of waters with low content of silica; still the exploitation expenses are high enough to discourage most of the potential users [3]. Biological purification uses denitrification bacteria that reduce the nitrates at the gaseous nitrogen. It conducts to adding a carbon source as methanol or acetic acid. The dose of organic substance must be controlled in an attentive manner, because in case of excess, water becomes unsatisfactory for human consumption. Biological treated water might, also, contain spores of the anaerobic microorganisms, so that it should be re-aerated, sterilized and the present suspensions must be alienated by flocculation and filtration. On the other side, the

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biologic este lent, mai ales la temperaturi sczute, astfel nct eficiena este greu de prevzut [4]. Tehnologia bazat pe schimb ionic poate fi o soluie adecvat i eficient economic pentru problema azotatilor din sursele de ap potabil. Denitrificarea prin schimb ionic utilizeaz rini anionice puternic bazice n forma clorur pentru a ndeprta azotaii din ap. n timpul schimbului, rina pune n libertate ionii de clorur i absoarbe ionii liberi de azotat, sulfat i bicarbonat din apa brut. Schimbul ionic este considerat adesea c ar avea dezavantajul de a mari concentraia de cloruri n apa tratat. Fiecare mg/l de azotat ndeprtat va duce la o cretere a concentraiei de cloruri cu 0,57 mg/l, iar a celei de sulfat cu 0,74 mg/l, astfel c apa tratat devine mai coroziv, iar n unele cazuri neadecvat pentru consum uman [5]. n continuare sunt prezentate n detaliu unele procedee de denitrificare aplicate n scopul ndeprtrii azotului din apa potabil. 2. Tehnologii de ndeprtare a nitrailor prin denitrificare Denitrificarea biologic este folosit curent pentru tratarea apelor uzate oreneti i industriale. Acumularea de cunotine i experien a fcut posibil aplicarea cu eficien a denitrificrii biologice i la ndeprtarea azotailor din apa potabil. Transferul lent al tehnologiei de la tratarea apelor uzate la tratarea apei potabile s-a datorat n principal problemelor legate de o posibil contaminare bacterian a apei tratate, de prezena unor substane organice remanente n apa tratat precum i de creterea necesarului de clor al apei tratate. Principiul de baz al denitrificrii biologice const n reducerea azotailor la azot gazos care are loc n condiii anoxice printr-o serie de etape, astfel: NO3- NO2- NO N2O

biological reaction is lent, especially at low temperatures, so that the efficiency can hardly be seen [4]. The technology based on ionic exchange can be an adequate solution and economical efficient for the problem of nitrates from drinkable water sources. Denitrification through ions exchange uses anionic resins that are powerfully basic in the form of chloride to alienate nitrates from the water. During the exchange, the resin releases chloride ions and absorbs free ions of nitrate, sulphate and bicarbonate from raw water. The ionic exchange is often considered as having the disadvantage to increase the density of chloride in the treated water. Each mg/l of alienated nitrate will lead to the increase of chloride densities with 0,57 mg/l, and of the sulphate one with 0,74 mg/l, so that the treated water becomes more corrosive, and in some case is not adequate for human consumption [5]. As follows are presented, in detail, some procedures of denitrification that are applied with the purpose of nitrogen alienation from drinkable water. 2. Technologies of nitrates alienation through denitrification Biological denitrification is frequently practiced for the treatment of municipal and industrial used waters. The accumulation of knowledge and experience made possible the efficient application of biological denitrification and the alienation of nitrates from drinkable water. The lent transfer of the technology from the treatment of used waters to the treatment of drinkable water was mainly due to problems connected to a possible bacterial contamination of treated water, by the presence of some residual organic substances in the treated water as well as the increase of the chlorine necessary of the treated water. The basic principle of biological denitrification resides in the reduction of nitrates to gaseous nitrogen, that takes place in anoxic conditions through a series of stages, so that: NO3- NO2- NO N2O N2

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(1) S-a constatat c oxigenul n concentraii de 0,1-0,2 mg/l are efecte inhibitoare asupra denitrificrii. Denitrificarea poate fi realizat att de bacterii heterotrofe ct i de bacterii autotrofe. n condiii anoxice, bacteriile heterotrofe utilizeaz substanele organice cum sunt metanolul, etanolul i acidul acetic pentru conversia azotailor n azot. Raportul (C/N) pentru substanele menionate este de 0,93; 1,05 i respectiv 1,32, metanolul fiind deci cel mai eficient din punct de vedere al acestui raport. De asemenea, substanele organice gazoase ca metanul i monoxidul de carbon pot servi ca substrate pentru denitrificarea apei. n 1986 Roennefahrt a elaborat un procedeu de denitrificare heterotrof (procedeul Denipor) prezentat schematic n fig.1, care a fost aplicat n scopul ndeprtrii azotailor din apele subterane.

N2

(1) It was observed that the oxygen in densities over 0,1-0,2 mg/l has inhibitor effects on denitrification. Denitrification can be used by heterotrophic bacteria as well as by autotrophe bacteria. In anoxic conditions, heterotrophic bacteria use organic substances like methanol, ethanol and acetic acid for the conversion of nitrates in nitrogen. The ratio (C/N) for the mentioned substances is of 0,93; 1,05 namely 1,32, so, methanol being the most efficient from the point of view of this ratio. Also, organic gaseous substances as methane and white damp can serve as substratum for water denitrification. In 1986 Roennefahrt elaborated a procedure of heterotrophic denitrification (Denipor procedure) that is conceptual presented in fig.1, that was applied with the purpose of alienation of nitrates from underground waters.

Fig.1. Schema instalaiei de denitrificare heterotrof prin procedeul Denipor. / The scheme of the heterotrophic denitrification through Denipor procedure. Procedeul folosete microorganisme heterotrofe prezente n acvifer. Pentru reactoarele cu pat fix s-a folosit ca material suport pentru biomas un material sintetic sub form de sfere plutitoare realizat din polistiren The procedure uses heterotrophic microorganisms that are present in the water bearings. For reactors with fix layer, it was used as a support material for biomass, a synthetic material, with the form of floating

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expandat care nltur problemele legate de colmatare; biomasa n exces a fost ndeprtat cu uurin din materialul suport prin splare n curent descendent. Ca substrat s-a folosit etanol i s-a adugat fosfat ca nutrient. Rezultatele experimentrilor au artat c la o ncrcare de 0,7-1,0 kgN/m3.zi s-au ndeprtat peste 95% din azotai. Apa denitrificat a fost tratat n continuare n dou filtre aerobe. Carbonul organic total (COT) al efluentului la 10C a fost de 1 mg/l. Procedeul a fost aplicat cu succes n Germania i n Frana n instalaii la scar industrial. n denitrificarea autotrof, pot fi folosite bacterii de tipul Thiobacillus denitrificans pentru a reduce concentraiile de azotai de la 24 la 1 mg/l, n reactoare cu pat fix, folosind ca surs de electroni, sulf sau sulfuri. Folosirea unor particule de sulf mai fine a condus la un timp de retenie hidraulic mai sczut. Pentru asigurarea alcalinitii s-a folosit calcar fapt care a dus la creterea srurilor dizolvate n efluent. Denitrificarea cu sulf/calcar a fost utilizat pentru regenerarea acviferelor poluate cu azotai. n fig.2 se prezint o schem a sistemului de denitrificare cu sulf/calcar.

spheres realized from expanded polystyrene that alienates problems connected to plugging; the excess biomass was easily alienated from the support material, by washing in descendant current. As a substratum it was used ethanol and as a nutrient it was used phosphate. The results of the experiments showed that at a loading of 0,7-1,0 kgN/m3/ day have been alienated over 95% from nitrates. Denitrified water was continuously treated in two aerobe filters. The total organic carbon (COT) of the effluent at 10C was of 1 mg/l. The procedure was successfully applied in Germany and France, in installations on industrial scale. In autotrophic denitrification, can be used bacteria of the Thiobacillus denitrificans type to reduce nitrates density from 24 la 1 mg/l, in reactors with fix layer, using as electrons source, sulphur or sulphides. The use of some fine particles of sulphur leads to a lower hydraulic retention time. To ensure alkalinity it was used limestone, fact that lead to the increase of salts dissolved in the effluent. The denitrification with sulphur/ limestone was used to regeneration of water bearings polluted with nitrates. In fig.2 it is presented a scheme of the system of detrinification with sulphur/ limestone.

Fig.2. Schema procedeului de denitrificare autotrof cu sulf/calcar. / The scheme of the autotrophic denitrification procedure with sulphur/ limestone Sistemul de tratare a constat dintr-un The treatment system was realized degazificator sub vid pentru ndeprtar from a decontaminator under vacuum for the azotului i oxigenului din ap. Patul filtrant a alienation of the nitrogen and the oxygen from fost format din granule de sulf i calcar n the water. The filtering layer was formed of
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raport de 1/1. Dup filtrare, apa a fost aerat i lsat s se infiltreze n sol n vederea post-tratrii. Sistemul de tratare a fost exploatat cu succes timp de 800 de zile cu nivele ale azotailor n efluent sub 25 mg/l. Pe baza acestor studii, n Olanda, a fost construit o instalaie la scar industrial. Procedeul cu sulf/calcar mrete coninutul de sulfai i duritatea apei finisate i de aceea este adecvat pentru ape srace i cu duritate mic. ntr-un procedeu n care denitrificatorii autotrofi au fost ncapsulai n bile (perle) de alginat de calciu care conineau sulf i carbonat de calciu, concentraiile de azotai au fost reduse n decurs de apte ore de la 27 la 6 mg/l.

particles of sulphur and limestone in ratio of 1/1. After filtering, water was aerated and allowed to enter the soil for after-treatment. The treatment system was successfully exploited for 800 days with level of the nitrates in the effluent, under 25 mg/l. Based on these studies, in Holland, was realized an installation at industrial scale. The procedure with sulphur / limestone increases the content of sulphates and the hardness of the finished water and that is why it is adequate for poor waters and which are less hard. In a procedure in which autotrophic denitrificators have been encapsulated into balls (pearls) of calcium alginate that contained sulphur and limestone, the nitrates densities have been reduced in seven hours Combinarea schimbului ionic cu from 27 to 6 mg/l. denitrificarea biologic Procesul de schimb ionic comport The combination of the ionic trecerea apei ncrcate cu azotai printr-un exchange with biological denitrification pat granular de rin care necesit pentru The process of ionic exchange leads to regenerare cantiti mari de soluie the passage of the water loaded with nitrates concentrat de NaCl (50-100 g/l). De regul, through a granular layer of resin that required saramura uzat are un coninut ridicat de for the regeneration, great quantities of azotai, sulfai i cloruri; eliminarea sa concentrated solution of NaCl (50-100 g/l). trebuie fcut cu grij i contribuie la As a rule, the brine used has a high content of costurile de exploatare. Apa tratat ntr-un nitrates, sulphates and chloride; its proces de denitrificare necesit post-tratare elimination must carefully be done and pentru ndeprtarea microorganismelor i a contributes to exploitation costs. Water substratului organic. Combinarea schimbului treated in a process of denitrification requires ionic cu denitrificarea biologic poate post-treatment for alienation of elimina unele din problemele ce apar n microorganisms and of organic substratum. cazul proceselor individuale. ntr-un The combination of ionic exchange with procedeu combinat (fig.3) schimbul ionic biological denitrification can eliminate some este folosit pentru a ndeprta azotaii din of the problems that appear in the case of apele subterane iar denitrificarea biologic individual processes. In a combined este folosit pentru a trata soluia de procedure (fig.3) the ionic exchange is used to regenerare bogat n azotai rezultat din alienate nitrates from underground waters and rina schimbtoare anionic. biological denitrification is used to treat the regeneration solution that is rich in nitrates and results from the anionic exchanging resin.

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Fig.3. Schema procedeului combinat de schimb ionic/denitrificare biologic. / The scheme of the combined procedure of ionic exchange/ biological denitrification. Sistemul combinat evit contactul direct dintre denitrificatori i apa de tratat. Pentru denitrificarea soluiei de regenerare se folosete un reactor cu pat de nmol cu curgere ascendent. Reactorul biologic este capabil s denitrifice soluii cu salinitate mare coninnd 25-30 g/l NaHCO3 i 10-15 g/l NaCl. Procedeul este indicat pentru tratarea apelor cu coninut ridicat de sulfai. Saramura produs reprezint 13-20% din cantitatea produs la coloanele cu schimbtori de ioni. Se recomand intercalarea ntre reactorul biologic i coloana de schimbtori de ioni a unui filtru de nisip i dezinfecia rinii cu acid acetic adugat n cursul splrii. Procedeul combinat a fost aplicat i pentru ape subterane folosind rini sulfat-selective i azotat-selective. n comparaie cu schimbul ionic clasic, procedeul combinat a condus la o reducere de circa 90% a saramurii reziduale. Denitrificarea chimic ndeprtarea azotailor se poate realiza i cu ajutorul procedeelor chimice. n condiii de pH bazic, reducerea poate avea loc conform reaciei urmtoare: NO3- + 8Fe(OH)2 + 6H2O NH3 + The combined system avoids direct contact between denitrificators and treatment waters. For the denitrification of the regeneration solution will be used a reactor with layer of mud with ascendant flowing. The biological reactor is capable of denitrify solutions with high salinity, containing 25-30 g/l NaHCO3 and 10-15 g/l NaCl. The procedure is indicated for the treatment of waters with a high content of sulphates. The brine produced represents 13-20% from the quantity produced at the columns of ions exchangers. It is recommended the interpolation between the biological reactor and the column of ions exchanger of a sand filter and the disinfection of the resin with acetic acid, added during washing. The combined procedure was also applied on underground waters using sulphate-selective and nitrate selective resins. In comparison with the classical ionic exchange, the combined procedure leads to a reduction of about 90% of the residual brine. Chemical denitrification The alienation of the nitrates can be realized also with the aid of the chemical procedures. In the conditions of a basic pH, the reduction can take place according to the

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8Fe(OH)3 + OH-

(2)

Pentru ca reacia s aib loc este necesar un raport Fe2+/NO3- de aproximativ 15/1, n prezena unui catalizator de cupru. Acest proces genereaz cantiti mari de nmol de fier i duce la formarea de amoniac care trebuie stripat cu aer. Denitrificarea chimic se poate realiza i cu pulbere de aluminiu. S-a constatat c produsul principal este amoniacul (60-95%) care poate fi ndeprtat prin stripare. ndeprtarea optim a azotailor prin acest procedeu s-a obinut la pH= 10,25. Denitrificarea a fost pus pe seama urmtoarelor reacii: 3NO3- + 2Al + 3H2O 3NO2- + 2Al(OH)3 (3) NO2 + 2Al + 5H2O NH3 + 2Al(OH)3 + OH(4) 2NO2 + 2Al + 4H2O N2 + 2Al(OH)3 + 2OH(5) Procedeul poate fi folosit la staiile de tratare a apei care folosesc var pentru dedurizarea apei. n mod obinuit, pH-ul este ridicat la 9,1 sau peste, cu var, astfel nct cheltuielile pentru a spori pH-ul la valoarea optim sunt mici. Aluminiul reacioneaz cu apa conform reaciei urmtoare: 2Al + 6H2O (6)
-

following reaction: NO3- + 8Fe(OH)2 + 6H2O NH3 + 8Fe(OH)3 + OH(2) As for the reaction to be realized, it is necessary a ratio Fe2+/NO3- of about 15/1, in the presence of a copper catalyst. This process generates great quantities of iron mud and leads to the formation of ammonia that must be purified with air. The chemical denitrification can be also realized with aluminum powder. It was observed that the main products is the ammonia (60-95%) that can be alienated by purification. The optimal alienation of the nitrates through this procedure was obtained at pH= 10,25. The denitrification was ascribed to the following reactions: 3NO3- + 2Al + 3H2O 3NO2- + 2Al(OH)3 (3) NO2- + 2Al + 5H2O NH3 + 2Al(OH)3 + OH(4) 2NO2- + 2Al + 4H2O N2 + 2Al(OH)3 + 2OH(5) The procedure can be used at the water treatment plants that used limes for water purification. Commonly, pH is increased to 9,1 or over, with lime, so that expenses to increase pH at optimal value are lower. Aluminum reacts with water according to the following reaction: 2Al + 6H2O (6)

2A1(OH)3 + 3H2

2A1(OH)3 + 3H2

Pierderea de aluminiu datorit reaciei de mai sus (la pH= 9,1-9,3) s-a constatat a fi sub 2%. S-a stabilit c pentru reducerea a 1g de azot este nevoie de 1, 16 g de aluminiu. n domeniul de pH de 9-10,5 a fost posibil reducerea selectiv a azotailor n raport cu sulfaii. Concluzii

The loss of the aluminum due to the above reaction (at pH= 9,1-9,3) was observed to be under 2%. It was established that for the reduction of 1g of nitrogen are necessary 1, 16 g of aluminum. In the field of pH of 9-10,5 it was possible the selective reduction of the nitrates in relation with sulphates.

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Denitrificarea biologic pentru apa potabil are o larg aplicare n varianta denitrificrii heterotrofe n comparaie cu cea autotrof, mai ales la scar industrial. Denitrificarea heterotrof este caracterizat prin rate specifice volumetrice de denitrificare mai mari (0,4-24 kg/m3.zi NO3-N) dect denitrificarea autotrof (0,5-1,3 kg/m3.zi NO3--N). Fezabilitatea tehnic i economic a denitrificrii heterotrofe a fost confirmat la scar industrial n mai multe ri europene. Viteza reaciei autotrofe este mic i de aceea pentru a asigura timpi de retenie suficieni pentru denitrificare este nevoie de volume mari ale reactorului, fapt care duce la creterea costurilor de investiie. Pe de alt parte denitrificarea heterotrof poate ndeprta i micropoluani organici cum ar fi tetraclorura de carbon i tricloretilena. Denitrificarea biologic n reactoare cu pat fluidizat este preferat fa de cea n reactoare cu pat fix. Astfel, problemele cum sunt colmatarea i formarea de curgeri prefereniale care apar de obicei la reactoarele cu pat fix sunt nlturate. Mai mult la reactoarele cu pat fluidizat s-au observat rate mai mari de ndeprtare a azotailor. ntruct reactoarele cu pat fluidizat necesit recircularea efluenilor pentru o ndeprtare eficient a azotailor, aceste instalaii impun o conducere mai atent a procesului. Denitrificarea biologic este aplicabil apelor de suprafa dat fiind faptul c procesul se poate adapta uor la variaiile de calitate a apei cum sunt coninutul de materii organice naturale, de sruri dizolvate, suspensii, azotai i sulfai. Principalele probleme legate de folosirea denitrificrii biologice sunt: monitorizarea sporit n caz de exploatare intermitent; ratele de denitrificare reduse la temperaturi mai sczute, cnd nivelul azotailor n apele de suprafa tind s creasc; post-tratarea apei denitrificate pentru

3. Conclusions The biological denitrification for drinkable water has a large application in the variant of heterotrophic denitrification in comparison with the autotrophic one, especially at industrial scale. The heterotrophic denitrification is characterized by specific volumetric higher rates of denitrification (0,4-24 kg/m3.zi NO3--N) than the autotrophic denitrification (0,5-1,3 kg/m3.zi NO3--N). The technical and economic feasibility of heterotrophic denitrification was confirmed at industrial scale in several European countries. The speed of the autotrophic reaction is smaller and that is why, to ensure sufficient retention periods for denitrification, there are necessary great volumes of the reactor, fact that leads to the increase of the investment costs. On the other side, heterotrophic denitrification can alienate organic micropolluters like carbon tetrachloride and trichlorideethylene. The biological denitrification in reactors with fluidized layer is preferred in comparison with the one in reactors with fix layer. So, problems like plugging and formation of preferential flowing that commonly appear at reactors with fix layer are alienated. More, at reactors with fluidized layer, have been observed greater rates of nitrates alienation. As reactors with fluidized layer require the recirculation of effluents for an efficient alienation of nitrates, theses installations impose a more attentive administration of the process. The biological denitrification is applied to surface waters due to the fact that the process can be easily adapted to the waters quality variations as are the content of natural organic materials, undissolved salts, suspensions, nitrates and sulphates. The main problems connected to the use of biological denitrification are: - Increased monitoring in case of intermittent exploitation; - Rates of denitrification reduced at low temperatures, when the level of nitrates in the surface waters tend to increase;

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ndeprtarea substratului organic folosit pentru denitrificare i ndeprtarea microorganismelor. ndeprtarea azotailor din apa potabil este un domeniu important de cercetare n care au fost dezvoltate tehnologii noi, dar este necesar optimizarea i perfecionarea n continuare a acestora. Un studiu detaliat al exploatrii reactorului biologic cu privire la concentraia de substrat i de nutrient, pH i temperatur, poate stabili n mod clar efectele acestor parametrii asupra eficienei de eliminare a azotailor. De asemenea, trebuie precizat faptul c efectul compuilor organici toxici asupra performanelor reactorului nc nu este cunoscut. O atenie deosebit trebuie acordat determinrii caracteristicilor microbiologice ale apei denitrificate pentru care nu exist o monitorizare a rezultatelor pe termen lung. Bibliografie Ianculescu, O., Ionescu, Gh., Racovieanu, R. Epurarea apelor uzate, Ed. Matrix Rom, Bucureti, 2001. Constantinescu, G. C. - Chimia mediului Hidrochimia, Ed. UNI-PRESS C-68, Bucureti, 2001. Ciocan, V., Traist, E., Podariu, M. Tratamentul apelor reziduale, Ed. Universitas, Petroani, 2000. Rojanschi, V., Bran, F., Diaconu, G. Protecia i Ingineria Mediului, Ed. Economic, Bucureti, 1997 Negulescu, M., Antoniu, R., Rusu, G., Cua, E. Protecia calitii apelor, Ed. Tehnic, Bucureti, 1982

Post-treatment of the denitrified water for the alienation of the organic substratum used for the denitrification and alienation of the microorganisms. The alienation of the nitrates from drinkable water is an important research field in which have been developed new technologies, but it is necessary their continuous optimization and perfectioing. A detailed study of exploration of the biological reactor, regarding the densities of substratum and nutrient, pH and temperature, can establish in an exact manner the effects of these parameters on the efficiency of elimination of nitrates. Also, it must be mentioned the fact that the effect of the toxic organic compounds on the performances of the reactor is not yet known. A special attention must be granted to the determination of the microbiological characteristics of the denitrified water for which does not exist a monitoring of the results on long term. Bibliography 1.Ianculescu, O., Ionescu, Gh., Racovieanu, R. Purification of used waters, Matrix Rom Publishing House, Bucharest, 2001. 2.Constantinescu, G. C. - Chemistry of the environment - Hydro chemistry, UNIPRESS C-68 Publishing House, Bucharest, 2001. 3.Ciocan, V., Traist, E., Podariu, M. The treatments of residual waters, Universitas Publishing House, Petroani, 2000. 4.Rojanschi, V., Bran, F., Diaconu, G. Protection and Engineering of the Environment , Economic Publishing House, Bucharest, 1997 5. Negulescu, M., Antoniu, R., Rusu, G., Cua, E. Protection of the water quality, Technical Publishing House, Bucharest, 1982.

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