微藻固定化条件优化及其污水氨氮去除潜力分析

微藻污水处理被视为新概念引领下极具潜力的一项绿色技术,然而,微藻分离与采收一直是限制其大规模应用的瓶颈.本研究立足于固定化技术,以斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)为研究对象,采用响应曲面法(RSM)耦合Box-Behnken设计,以固定剂浓度、交联剂浓度和交联时间为自变量,以藻球的机械强度、传质速率和生长速率为响应值,对固定化的过程参数进行优化,制备性能最优的固定化藻球;并探索和分析藻球对氨氮(NH4+-N)去除的最佳条件及其潜力.结果表明,固定剂浓度、交联剂浓度和交联时间分别为5%、2%和16 h为制备固定化藻球的最优条件,且包埋密度为1×106cells·m L~(-1),有机物(COD)浓度为300 mg·L~(-1)时,藻球混合培养去除NH4+-N的能力最强;此外,固定藻对高浓度NH4+-N的去除潜力显著优于自由藻,当初始浓度约为50和70 mg·L~(-1)时,固定藻混合培养5 d后NH4+-N去除率分别为(96. 6±0. 1)%和(65. 2±4. 5)%,而初始浓度约为30 mg·L~(-1)时,自由藻优势明显,3 d后NH4+-N去除率高达(97. 8±0. 6)%;但异养条件下固定藻对NH4+-N的去除率整体偏低且随浓度增加而降低,当初始浓度约为30 mg·L~(-1)时,去除率仅为(49. 0±3. 1)%.本研究为污水可持续处理提供了新思路,为资源回收提供了新途径,更为该技术推广应用奠定了较好的理论基础.

Optimization of the Parameters for Microalgae Immobilization and Analysis of Its Recovery Potential for Ammonia Nitrogen in Wastewater

Application of microalgae in wastewater treatment is regarded as a potential green technology. However, its engineering application has been largely hindered because of the difficulty of biomass separation and harvesting. This study aimed to identify the key parameters influencing the process of microalgae immobilization. To do this, the study focused on immobilization technology and Scenedesmus obliquus, and employed the response surface methodology (RSM) and the Box-Behnken design (BBD). In an evaluation of the performance of microalgae beads, the fixing agent concentration, the cross-linking agent concentration, and the cross-linking time were selected as the independent variables, and the mechanical strength, the mass transfer rate, and the growth rate of immobilized microalgae beads were the response values. The optimal conditions and the uptake potential of the microalgae beads with respect to ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) were further explored and analyzed. The results showed that the optimal parameters for the preparation of immobilized microalgae beads were 5%, 2%, and 16 h, and the maximum removal capacity was obtained using mixotrophic cultivation with an embedding density of 1×10⁶ cells·mL^-1 and an organic matter concentration of 300 mg·L^-1. In addition, the removal capacity of immobilized microalgae with respect to high concentrations of NH₄⁺-N was significantly higher than for free-living microalgae. When the initial concentrations of NH₄⁺-N were approximately 50 and 70 mg·L^-1, NH₄⁺-N was removed by the immobilized microalgae (after a 5-day mixotrophic cultivation) at a rate of (96.6±0.1)% and (65.2±4.5)%, respectively. With an initial NH₄⁺-N concentration of 30 mg·L^-1, the dominance of free-living microalgae was clear, with a removal rate of (97.8±0.6)% after a 3-day cultivation. However, under heterotrophic cultivation, the removal rate of NH₄⁺-N by immobilized microalgae was generally low and gradually decreased with increasing concentrations. When the initial concentration was approximately 30 mg·L^-1, the removal rate was only (49.0±3.1)%. This study provides new prospects for sustainable urban wastewater treatment, a new approach for resource recycling, and a strong theoretical foundation for the popularization and application of microalgae in wastewater treatment.