The objective of this study was to examine the influence of nutrients on the biological phosphorus removal process at high acetate concentrations. It was an extension of studies conducted by Randall and Chapin (1994), who found that industrial wastewater with high concentrations of acetate were able to inhibit the biological phosphorus removal process.

Two bench-scale pilot plants were operated under controlled conditions that included synthetic wastewater as feed. The acetic acid concentrations in the feed of one system was increased in steps from 200 to 800 mg/L while the acetic acid concentrations in the feed of the other system was constantly held at 200 mg/L. Sludge from both systems was used for batch tests determining the kinetics of phosphorus release and uptake and poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid synthesis. Furthermore, the influence of various nutrients were examined during these batch tests.

The results of this study confirmed the observations of Randall and Chapin (1994). High concentrations (600 mg/L) of acetic acid did inhibit the biological phosphorus removal process; however, this inhibition could be countered by adding calcium into the feed. The reactions of phosphorus release and uptake are described by first order kinetics.