System for improved biological nutrient removal

• US 20030142301A1
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James E. Bruya, Thomas E. Coleman
• Original Assignee: James E. Bruya, Thomas E. Coleman
• Inventors: Coleman, Thomas E., Bruya, James E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,882,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/301
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/65 Raman scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/146 containing alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173076 Nitrite or nitrate

Abstract

A method is provided for the determination of NO₂⁻ and/and NO₃⁻ in water by subjecting the water sample to ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy within the range of wavelengths of 200-240 nm, and determining the presence of NO₂⁻ and/or NO₃⁻ based on the Raman spectral measurement. The method has particularly applicability to the determination of such ions in wastewater. The method may also be employed with advantage in the control of processes involving the removal of ammonium ions upon reaction with oxygen.

Claims

1. A method for the determination of NO₂⁻

in water by subjecting said water sample to ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy within the range of wavelengths of 200-240 nm, and determining the presence of NO₂⁻

based on said Raman spectral measurement.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein solids present in said water are removed to provide a water sample being substantially-free of suspended solids.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said water is derived from municipal water treatment.

10. The method of claims 4, wherein said water is derived from municipal water treatment.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said water is derived from filtered sludge wastewater.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the solids content of the water sample is 10 ppm or less.

2. A method for the determination of NO₃⁻

in water by subjecting said water sample to ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy within the range of wavelengths of 200-240 nm, and determining the presence of NO₃⁻

based on said Raman spectral measurement.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein solids present in said water are removed to provide a water sample being substantially-free of suspended solids.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein said water is derived from municipal water treatment.

11. The method of claims 5, wherein said water is derived from municipal water treatment.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein said water is derived from filtered sludge wastewater.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the solids content of the water sample is 10 ppm or less.

3. A method for the determination of NO₂⁻

and NO₃⁻

in water by subjecting said water sample to ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy within the range of wavelengths of 200-240 nm, and determining the presence of NO₂⁻

and NO₃⁻

based on said Raman spectral measurement.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein solids present in said water are removed to provide a water sample being substantially-free of suspended solids.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein said water is derived from municipal water treatment.

12. The method of claims 6, wherein said water is derived from municipal water treatment.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein said water is derived from filtered sludge wastewater.

18. The method of claim 3, wherein the solids content of the water sample is 10 ppm or less.

19. In a method for the removal of ammonium ions from an aqueous sample by contact of said ammonium ions with oxygen to yield nitrogen, water and hydrogen ions according to the following equation:

4NH₄⁺+3O₂→

2N₂+6H₂O+4H⁺

the improvement wherein the level of oxygen present as a reactant is determined by determining the ratio of NO₃⁻

to NO₂⁻

present in said sample by subjecting said sample to ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy within the range of wavelengths of 200-240 nm, and thereby determining the quantity of NO₃⁻

and NO₂⁻

present in said sample based on said Raman spectral measurement, and controlling the amount of oxygen contacting said ammonium ions based on said measurement whereby nitrate ion formation is minimized.