Concurrent Clarification and Biological Nitrification/Denitrification in a Single Floating Bead Bioclarifier to Simplify Nitrogen Management in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Commercial-scale marine aquaculture has the potential to balance the increasing demand for high-quality seafood products with the harvest capacity of our nation¿s oceans. However, water reuse in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is limited by the accumulation of nitrate (NO3), which is toxic to many species in high concentrations. Therefore, NO3 removal by denitrification presents a pressing need for the aquaculture community. This project proposed to investigate the potential for using a single floating bead bioclarifier (FBB) to capture solids as well as nitrify and denitrify water in RAS. The sludge captured within the FBB will be used as a carbon source for denitrification. The volumetric rate of denitrification within FBB will be quantified based on filter backwash frequency and sludge retention time within the FBB. A computer model will then be created that will allow AST to size the FBB for a variety of both marine and fresh-water applications.