Table 1.
Treatments applied to the free ammonia intoxicated reactors, HNR1, HNR2 and HNR3
| Stage | Phase | Weeks | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process reconditioning | I | 0 (day 0–1) | pH reduction with acetic acid (15 g_VS L−1 in total) |
| II | 0 (days 2–5) and 1 | Dilution with tap water at 37°C (25 mL L−1 d_feed−1) | |
| III | 2 to 3 | Re-inoculation with LNR effluents (6.5 mL L−1 d_feed−1); Water dilution* | |
| Process recovery | / | 4 to 7 | Re-inoculation with LNR effluents (6.5 mL L−1 d_feed−1); Feeding with sugar beet pulp (0.5 → 2 g_VS L−1 d_feed−1); Water dilution* |
| Process stability test | / | 8 to 11 | Feeding with sugar beet pulp (2 g_VS L−1 d_feed−1); Water dilution* |
The reactors were fed on working days, usually five consecutive days (i.e., d_feed) per week; * inputs suspended in tap water at 37°C to reach a hydraulic retention time of 56 days (total fed volume: 25 mL L−1 d_feed−1); LNR: low nitrogen input reactor used as a reference reactor; VS: volatile solids