The present study focuses on short-cycle nitrification-denitrification of high ammonium waste water by taking waste lye from a refinery as a carbon source. When the waste water is pH 7.7 to 8.3 and Dissolved Oxygen > 0.5 mg/L, the sequencing batch reactor activated sludge process operating with a cycle of 6 h at room temperature through intermittent aeration (aerobic:anoxic = 2:1) has the following results: nitrozation rate of the system over 80%, NH3-N concentration in the effluent below the detection limit, TN concentration = 7.4 mg/L, and chemical oxygen demand removal rate up to 90%.