Gaseous Nitrogen and Carbon Emissions from a Full-Scale Deammonification Plant

The aim of this work was to give a quantitative description of the gaseous nitrogen and carbon emissions of a full-scale deammonification plant (DEMON system). Deammonification accounted for the net carbon sequestration of 0.16 g CO(2)/g NO(2)-N. Both nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) were minor trace gases (<0.1% nitrogen output). However, in comparison, the nitrous oxide (N(2)O) emission (1.3% nitrogen output) was significant. The global warming potential of the N(2)O emissions from the DEMON were similar to those found in conventional simultaneous nitrification/denitrification systems; however, CO(2) emissions in the investigated system were significantly lower, thereby lessening the overall environmental effect. This was the first time such an analysis has been performed on a DEMON system. Water Environ. Res., 82, 169 (2010).