Effects of nitrification in the activated sludge process

The purpose of this article is to develop the theoretical implications of nitrification, i. e. , the biologically mediated conversion of NH//4** plus -N to NO//3** minus -N, from an oxygen demand and alkalinity destruction basis. To illustrate the effect of nitrification on oxygen requirements and quantity of alkalinity destroyed, an example situation is given in which a completely mixed activated sludge process is receiving wastewater with a variable ratio of BOD//5 to NH//4** plus -N, and is to be operated at various mean cell residence times.