Biological removal of nitrogenous compounds from wet flue gas liquors

Flue gases generated by combustion processes contain harmful pollutants like NO_x and SO_x that are among the main causes of air pollution. To reduce these emissions, many efficient technologies are used, such as wet scrubbers. This established technology transfers the pollutants from the gaseous phase to water, and, hence, creates a need to deal with secondary pollution. To complete the purification and reduce the overall impact of these industrial waste streams on the environment, specific treatment solutions are required. This doctoral research project aims at developing a specific biological process for the purification of liquid waste streams, focusing on the removal of nitrogen originated by NO_x removal from flue gas liquors. Denitrification is the central mechanism: nitrate and nitrite are microbially reduced to molecular nitrogen, which can be released into the atmosphere without negative consequences.

Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki, Emil Aaltosen säätiö, ECIU SMART-ER, Tutkija maailmalle programme