Reliable and accessible point-of-use water denitrification system

This paper describes the design and operation of a reliable and accessible point-of-use water denitrification system. The system includes a U-shaped submersible denitrifying biofilter and a bubble-film extractor. The biofilter utilizes the combined actions of denitrifying, sulfate-reducing, and sulfur bacteria. Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas and reduce the calcium hardness of water in proportion to the nitrate concentration. When the water is contaminated with both nitrates and sulfates and the bacterial community receives excess nutrients (ethanol), some sulfates are converted into hydrogen sulfide. This process facilitates the removal of heavy metal ions from the water in the form of hydrosulfides. When the sulfate-reducing bacteria produce excess hydrogen sulfide, the sulfur bacteria convert it into colloidal sulfur at the biofilter outlet. The bubble-film extractor removes colloidal sulfur, heavy metal hydrosulfides, calcium carbonate dispersions, and hydrogen sulfide from the filtrate. The system is user-friendly, requiring no special skills or knowledge for installation and maintenance. The proposed system demonstrates cost-effective denitrification and water polishing over long-term use.