Process for the Simultaneous Removal of Bod and Phosphate from Waste Water

19:

• The process according to claim 18, further comprising maintaining a biomass retention time that is lower than the doubling time of nitrifying bacteria.

20:

• The process according to claim 18, comprising adjusting the pH of the liquid in the reactor by removing CO2.

21:

• The process according to claim 18, wherein the pH is adjusted between 8 and 9.

22:

• The process according to claim 18, wherein a biomass retention time (SRT) is chosen between 4-40 hours.

23:

• The process according to claim 18, wherein the biomass retention time is controlled by one or more elements selected from the group consisting of lamella separators, filters, clarifiers, hydrocyclones and return systems.

24:

• The process according to claim 18, wherein struvite is separated from biomass in the liquid effluent.

25:

• The process according to claim 24, wherein the separation is performed with a three-way solid-solid-liquid separator.

26:

• The process according to claim 24, wherein the separation is performed with a hydrocyclone or lamella separator.

27:

• The process according to claim 18, wherein the struvite content in the liquid in the reactor is kept at least 5 kg/m3.

28:

• The process according to claim 18, wherein ammonium is removed from the effluent after f) using nitrifying and/or denitrifying bacteria.

29:

• The process according to claim 18, wherein the BOD is anaerobically treated prior to step a).

31:

• The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the separator is a three-way solid-solid-liquid separator.

32:

• The apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising an aerobic reactor downstream of the reactor a) for oxidising ammonia.

33:

• The apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising an anaerobic reactor upstream of reactor a) for anaerobically treating BOD.

34:

• The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the reactor further comprises:
• vi) one or more means selected from of the group consisting of agitators, stirrers, spargers and membrane distributors, wherein the means are designed to introduce a mixing energy of between 10 and 500 W/m3 into the liquid in the reactor.