All about Denitrator

[octane]

Originally Posted by atom

You can minimise the mishap by placing the inlet tube inside tank near to the surface.

cannot lah, unless switch off denitrator while doing wc, if not air lock again

Originally Posted by octane

cannot lah, unless switch off denitrator while doing wc, if not air lock again

What to do? 1 good no 2 good lah.

[octane]

Originally Posted by atom

What to do? 1 good no 2 good lah.

then must find something that's all good!

That's good. Must think of all the possibilities that things can go wrong.
I still want to ask even though it is repetitive; if one travels, is it wise to leave the denitrator on, or should you shut it down and get it started when you get back from overseas?
What are the possibilities things can go awry?

Also, since we are on the subject of denitrator choking, what are the causes of reduced flow rate based on your experience? how to avoid or minimise choking?

Originally Posted by Spakase

That's good. Must think of all the possibilities that things can go wrong.
I still want to ask even though it is repetitive; if one travels, is it wise to leave the denitrator on, or should you shut it down and get it started when you get back from overseas?
What are the possibilities things can go awry?

Also, since we are on the subject of denitrator choking, what are the causes of reduced flow rate based on your experience? how to avoid or minimise choking?

IF murphy strikes .....what to do? Just joking.

You can use pump connected to the controller instead of siphoning. Draw the intake from the 1st compartment of the sump and this will prevent any siphoning effect from happening. The types of pump available are as follow but it depends on the size of the denitrator too.

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...303571&page=15

Do not shut down the denitrator when you are outstation as you might have to restart all over again. Any matured denitrator will start producing hydrogen sulfide as the ORP will decrease further since there are no input available.

Two probable cases for decrease in output.

1. The entrance of ouput from the denitrator choke with slime.

2. The output tube choke with slime.

3. The entire reactor body choke with slime.

Draw the intake from the 1st compartment of the sump

Should be the last compartment where all nitrification has taken place and resultant nitrate is present?

When there's a decrease in output, based on your experience, will ORP readings show up as a warning signal? There is an immediate decline to the depths? How is the pattern behaviour based on your experience...how long does it take for ORP to move from -200mV to -300mv or beyond normally.

will it make a difference if the feed is different?

Originally Posted by Spakase

Should be the last compartment where all nitrification has taken place and resultant nitrate is present?

Theoretically yes. Since the tank setup is a closed circuit system, it doesn't matter. Just use the test kit and test it at various location within the system, the result is still the same if the flowrate is sufficient.

I am actually recommending for the following reasons:

1. Rich in DOC and ammonia. In the 1st compartment, all the waste are trap there and mineralized generating ammonia.

2. This is what will happen within the denitrator. The anaerobe will be able to use the DOC for carbon source. The aerobic bbs will breakdown the ammonia and oxidise to form nitrite and nitrate. This process will help to strip the DO in the water.

Originally Posted by Spakase

When there's a decrease in output, based on your experience, will ORP readings show up as a warning signal? There is an immediate decline to the depths? How is the pattern behaviour based on your experience...how long does it take for ORP to move from -200mV to -300mv or beyond normally.

will it make a difference if the feed is different?

In a matured denitrator, the max orp reading is around -220 to -250mV when there is flow at the output. If it starting to creep further down, it means two things:

1. High bacteria activities
2. Clogging

If it is point 1, just increase the flowrate or reduce carbon source. For point 2, it is a bit tricky. The flowrate can be increase ...hoping the pressure will dislodge some of the slime from clogging. Must monitor for the presence of ammonia and nitrite.

Theoretically yes. Since the tank setup is a closed circuit system, it doesn't matter. Just use the test kit and test it at various location within the system, the result is still the same if the flowrate is sufficient.

I am actually recommending for the following reasons:

1. Rich in DOC and ammonia. In the 1st compartment, all the waste are trap there and mineralized generating ammonia.

2. This is what will happen within the denitrator. The anaerobe will be able to use the DOC for carbon source. The aerobic bbs will breakdown the ammonia and oxidise to form nitrite and nitrate. This process will help to strip the DO in the water.

Still don't follow. Unless you are saying we cannot remove all the nitrate anyway, so why bother whether it's first or last chamber?
DOC should be constant in first & last chamber...am I correct?