Effects of La,Ce on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactor

Batch experiments were conducted to study the short-term biological effects of rare earth ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺) and their mixture on the nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The data showed that higher NH⁺₄―N removal rate, total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency, and denitrification efficiency were achieved at lower concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) (<1mg/L). In the first hour of the aeration stage of SBR, the presence of REEs increased the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and NH⁺₄―N removal efficiency by 15.7% and 10%―15%, respectively. When the concentrations of REEs were higher than 1mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency decreased, and nitrate was found to accumulate in the effluent. When the concentrations of REEs was up to 50.0mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency was less than 30% of the control efficiency with a high level of nitrate. Lower concentrations of REEs were found to accelerate the nitrogen conversion and removal in SBR.     

Effects of La3+, Ce3+ on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactor

Batch experiments were conducted to study the short-term biological effects of rare earth ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺) and their mixture on the nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The data showed that higher NH₄ ⁺-N removal rate, total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency, and denitrification efficiency were achieved at lower concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) (<1 mg/L). In the first hour of the aeration stage of SBR, the presence of REEs increased the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and NH₄ ⁺-N removal efficiency by 15.7% and 10%–15%, respectively. When the concentrations of REEs were higher than 1 mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency decreased, and nitrate was found to accumulate in the effluent. When the concentrations of REEs was up to 50.0 mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency was less than 30% of the control efficiency with a high level of nitrate. Lower concentrations of REEs were found to accelerate the nitrogen conversion and removal in SBR.     

Investigation of As, Mn and Fe fixation inside the aquifer during groundwater exploitation in the experimental system imitated natural conditions

Water-dissolved oxygen was supplied into anaerobic aquifer , which oxidized Fe(II), Mn(II) and trivalent arsenic and changed them into undissolved solid matter through hydrolysis, precipitation, co-precipitation and adsorption processes. The experiment was carried out on the column imitated a bore core of anaerobic aquifer with water phase containing Fe(II), Mn(II), As(III) concentration of 45.12 mg/L, 14.52 mg/L, 219.4 μg/L, respectively and other ions similarly composition in groundwater. After 6 days of air supply, concentration of iron reduced to 0.38 mg/L, manganese to 0.4 mg/L, arsenic to 9.8 μg/L (equivalent 99.16% of iron, 97.25% of manganese and 95.53% of arsenic fixed), and for other ions, the concentration changed almost according to general principles. Ion phosphate and silicate strongly influenced on arsenic removal but supported iron and manganese precipitation from water phase. Based on the experimental results, new model of groundwater exploitation was proposed.     

Biosorption of zinc ions from aqueous solution by the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus

Aquatic environments are often exposed to toxic heavy metals, which gain access to the food chain via microalgae and may cause severe problems at higher trophic levels. However, such a metabolic specificity can be taken advantage of in bioremediation strategies. The potential of a novel wild strain of Scenedesmus obliquus, previously isolated from a heavy metal-contaminated site in northern Portugal, to remove Zn from aqueous solutions was thus studied, using several initial concentrations. The removal extent reached its maximum by 1 day: 836.5 mg Zn/g biomass, at the initial concentration of 75 mg/L, mainly by adsorption onto the cell surface. Comparative studies encompassing a commercially available strain of the same microalgal species led to a maximum removal extent of only 429.6 mg Zn/g biomass, under identical conditions. Heat-inactivated cells permitted a maximum removal of 209.6 mg Zn/g biomass, at an initial concentration of 50 mg Zn/L. The maximum adsorption capacity of Zn, estimated via Langmuir’s isotherm, was 330 mg Zn/g biomass. Finally, Zn removal was highest at pH 6.0–7.0. It was proven, for the first time, that such a wild microalga can uptake and adsorb Zn very efficiently, which unfolds a particularly good potential for bioremediation. Its performance is far better than similar (reference) species, especially near neutrality, and even following heat-treatment.     

High removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from black-odorous water using a novel aeration-adsorption system

Black-odorous waters are an increasingly common phenomenon characterized by excessive levels of nutrients, the formation of metal sufide precipitates, volatile sulfurous compounds, low dissolved oxygen and high chemical oxygen demand. Black-odorous waters frequently occur in lake and river systems where inputs have restricted circulation. The key remediation issue is the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Here, we present a novel aeration-adsorption system using fiber balls and we study treatment parameters and removal mechanism. Kinetics and changes of the solid phase were followed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Results show complete removal of ammonia N, initially at 31 mg/L, and 92.8% removal of total nitrogen, initially at 29 mg/L, after a 24 h reaction time at pH 9.67. At pH 5.67 and 9.67, total phosphorus and phosphate could be significantly reduced by 90–92% at 3.2–5.2 mg/L after 24 h. Treatment met China’s integrated wastewater discharge standards, demonstrating an effective and robust treatment capability. First-order and second-order kinetic models provided a good fit to the treatment data, indicating physical and chemical adsorption were involved in the treatment reactions. The reaction mechanism involved hydrogen substitution and binding to oxygen. These results present a cost effective and robust approach for the removal of N and P from black, odorous water, providing opportunity to abate environmental contamination.

     

Removal of Novacron Golden Yellow dye from aqueous solutions by low-cost agricultural waste: Batch and fixed bed study

The present work describes the removal of Novacron Golden Yellow (NGY) dye from aqueous solutions using peanut hulls. The experiments were performed with native, pretreated and immobilised forms of peanut hulls. The effect of various operational parameters (pH, biosorbent dose, initial dye concentration and temperature etc.) was explored during batch study. NGY showed maximum removal at low pH and low biosorbent dose. High initial dye concentration facilitated the biosorption process. Maximum dye removal with native, pretreated and immobilised biomass was found to be 35.7, 36.4 and 15.02 mg/g respectively. The experimental data were subjected to different kinetic and equilibrium models. The kinetic data confirmed the fitness of pseudo-second-order rate law for NGY biosorption. The equilibrium modelling was carried out by Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin models. The isothermal data of NGY removal were best described by Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Negative values of Free energy change (Δ G⁰) for NGY with native and pretreated biomass depicted the spontaneous nature of biosorption process. In column mode, the effects of bed height, flow rate and initial dye concentrations were optimised. Maximum NGY biosorption (7.28 mg/g) was observed with high bed height, low flow rate and high initial concentration in continuous mode. Bohart–Adams model best fitted to the data obtained from column studies. The results indicated that the peanut hulls could be used effectively for the removal of dyes containing wastewater.     

Adsorptive removal of direct dyes by PEI-treated peanut husk biomass: Box–Behnken experimental design

This paper reports the application of Box-Behnken experimental design to illustrate the adsorption of direct dyes (Indosol Black NF and Indosol Orange RSN) using polyethyleneimine (PEI)-treated peanut husk biomass. The effect of three independent variables (initial dyes concentration, biosorbent dose and pH) was investigated during the study. Maximum biosorption capacity (141 and 98.2 mg/g) of PEI-pretreated biomass was achieved with 200 mg/L initial dye concentration and 0.05 g/50 mL biomass dose for Indosol Black NF and Indosol Orange RSN, respectively. Acidic pH was found to be favourable for maximum dyes removal. Characterisation of biosorbent was carried out through Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and point of zero charge determination. FT-IR analyses confirmed the involvement of carboxylic and carbonyl groups. The desorption study was also conducted to check out the possibility of regeneration of dyes and adsorbent and it was found that 51.58 and 76.6% of Indosol Black NF and Indosol Orange RSN, respectively, can be desorbed from the loaded biosorbent by using 1 M NaOH solution. The results indicated that PEI-treated peanut husk biomass can be used as an efficient biosorbent for the removal of Indosol Black NF and Indosol Orange RSN dyes from aqueous solutions.     

Anaerobic decolorization of an azo dye by a mixed culture

Wool dyeing wastewater contains xenobiotic compounds that can be removed by biotechnological processes. Studies on various dyes showed that anaerobic processes are suitable to alter azo dyes as a first step of the biodegradation process. These compounds are reduced by anaerobic consortia to aromatic amines and its ultimate degradation can be achieved by a further aerobic treatment.

Studies on degradation rate of an wool acid dye were performed in batch systems inoculated with anaerobic biomass. A commercial diazo dye, Acid Red 73, was added to the synthetic medium in which glucose was used as sole carbon source.

Results indicated that the Acid Red 73 was partially degraded by a mixed culture of anaerobic bacteria and a decolorization of 90% was obtained. Kinetics studies on removal of the colour showed that the decolorization rate was several times faster than the degradation rate of glucose for a range of dye concentrations between 60 mg/L and 400 mg/L. A first order kinetic model was used for dye concentrations up to 200 mg/L. For higher concentrations a model similar to the Michaelis‐Menten equation was better fitted to the experimental data.     

The origin of high hydrocarbon groundwater in shallow Triassic aquifer in Northwest Guizhou,China

Original high hydrocarbon groundwater represents a kind of groundwater in which hydrocarbon concentration exceeds 0.05 mg/L. The original high hydrocarbon will significantly reduce the environment capacity of hydrocarbon and lead environmental problems. For the past 5 years, we have carried out for a long-term monitoring of groundwater in shallow Triassic aquifer in Northwest Guizhou, China. We found the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbon was always above 0.05 mg/L. The low-level anthropogenic contamination cannot produce high hydrocarbon groundwater in the area. By using hydrocarbon potential, geochemistry and biomarker characteristic in rocks and shallow groundwater, we carried out a comprehensive study in Dalongjing (DLJ) groundwater system to determine the hydrocarbon source. We found a simplex hydrogeology setting, high-level water–rock–hydrocarbon interaction and obviously original hydrocarbon groundwater in DLJ system. The concentration of petroleum hydrocarbon in shallow aquifer was found to increase with the strong water–rock interaction. Higher hydrocarbon potential was found in the upper of Guanling formation (T₂g³) and upper of Yongningzhen formation (T₁yn⁴). Heavily saturated carbon was observed from shallow groundwater, which presented similar distribution to those from rocks, especially from the deeper groundwater. These results indicated that the high concentrations of original hydrocarbon in groundwater could be due to the hydrocarbon release from corrosion and extraction out of strata over time.

     

Advanced nitrogen removal by pulsed sequencing batch reactors (SBR) with real-time control

The feasibility of pH and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) as on-line control parameters to advance nitrogen removal in pulsed sequencing batch reactors (SBR) was evaluated. The pulsed SBR, a novel operational mode of SBR, was utilized to treat real municipal wastewater accompanied with adding ethanol as external carbon source. It was observed that the bending-point (apex and knee) of pH and ORP profiles can be used to control denitrification process at a low influent C/N ratio while dpH/dt can be used to control the nitrification and denitrification process at a high influent C/N ratio. The experimental results demonstrated that the effluent total nitrogen can be reduced to lower than 2 mg/L, and the average total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency was higher than 98% by using real-time controll strategy.     

二段生物接触氧化法处理含硫废水的中试研究

用二段生物接触氧化法探索炼油过程中所产生的含硫废水的处理新方法． 结果表明：经此工艺处理后的出水 Ｃ Ｏ Ｄ、氨氮、硫化物和酚的质量浓度ρ分别为２６６ ．９ ｍｇ／ Ｌ、８２ ．８５ ｍｇ／ Ｌ、１ ．１８ ｍｇ／ Ｌ 和１ ．４３ ｍｇ／ Ｌ,相应的去除率分别为８６ ．３ ％ 、４０ ％ 、９２ ．７ ％ 和９９ ．３ ％ ,出水水质达到国家三级排放标准． 进出水水质的变化曲线表明,生物接触氧化法处理含硫废水对进水水质变化的适应能力比较强,出水水质比较稳定,显示了二段接触氧化法处理含硫废水的可行性     

Circulating fluidized bed biological reactor for nutrients removal

A new biological nitrogen removal process, which is named herein “The circulating fluidized bed bioreactor (CFBBR)”, was developed for simultaneous removal of nitrogen and organic matter. This process was composed of an anaerobic bed (Riser), aerobic bed (Downer) and connecting device. Influent and nitrified liquid from the aerobic bed enters the anaerobic bed from the bottom of the anaerobic bed, completing the removal of nitrogen and organic matter. The system performance under the conditions of different inflow loadings and nitrified liquid recirculation rates ranging from 200% to 600% was examined. From a technical and economic point of view, the optimum nitrified liquid recirculation ratewas 400%. With a shortest total retention time of 2.5 h (0.8 h in the anaerobic bed and 1.5 h in the aerobic bed) and a nitrified liquid recirculation rate of 400% based on the influent flow rate, the average removal efficiencies of total nitrogen (TN) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) were found to be 88% and 95%, respectively. The average effluent concentrations of TN and SCOD were 3.5 mg/L and 16 mg/L, respectively. The volatile suspended solid (VSS) concentration, nitrification rate and denitrification rate in the system were less than 1.0 g/L, 0.026-0.1 g NH₄ ⁺-N/g VSS·d, and 0.016–0.074 g NO_x ^?-N/g VSS·d, respectively.     

Feedforward control for nitrogen removal in a pilot-scale anaerobic-anoxic-oxic plant for municipal wastewater treatment

To improve the efficiency of nitrogen removal with lower energy consumption, the study of feedforward control was carried out on a pilot-scale anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (AAO) plant for the treatment of municipal wastewater. The effluent qualities of the pilot plant under different control strategies were investigated. The results indicated that the change of external recycle was not a suitable approach to regulate the sludge concentration of plug-flow reactors; adjusting the aeration valve and dissolved oxygen set-point according to ammonia load could overcome the impact of influent fluctuation; and the denitrification potential could be estimated based on the transit time of anoxic zone and the relative content of carbon resource entering the anoxic zone. Simple feedforward control strategies for aeration and internal recycle were subsequently proposed and validated. The nitrogen removal was successfully improved in the pilot plant. The effluent total nitrogen had decreased by 29.9% and was steadily controlled below 15 mg·L^-1. Furthermore, approximately 38% of the energy for aeration had been saved.     

Adsorptive removal of Drimarine Red HF-3D dye from aqueous solution using low-cost agricultural waste: batch and column study

This study involves the utilisation of peanut husk for the removal of Drimarine Red HF-3D dye from aqueous solutions. Batch study experiments were conducted with native, HNO₃-treated and Na-alginate-immobilised peanut husk biomass. Maximum dye removal (95.24 mg/g) was obtained with HNO₃-treated biomass. The experimental data were successfully explained with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model for all types of biosorbents. The equilibrium data fitted well to the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. A thermodynamic study was also carried out to check the nature of the adsorption process. A fixed-bed column study for Drimarine Red HF-3D was carried out to optimise the effect of bed height, flow rate and initial dye concentration using peanut husk biomass. The column study showed that biosorption capacity increased with the increase in initial dye concentration and bed height, but decreased with increased flow rate. Data for Drimarine Red HF-3D were in very good agreement with the bed depth service time model. Fourier transform infrared analysis demonstrated the involvement of different functional groups in dye biosorption. These results showed that peanut husk biomass possessed good potential for the removal of Drimarine Red HF-3D from aqueous solution.     

气浮中试工艺中若干运行参数

为找出气浮(DAF)工艺的最佳运行工艺参数,对影响气浮工艺出水效果较大的预处理条件、混凝剂投量、水力负荷、水力条件、回流比、刮渣周期等运行参数做了大量的中试试验研究,发现适当的预臭氧处理可以提高UV254的去除,预加氯可以提高对浊度和藻类的去除,预加高锰酸盐可以提高对浊度、藻类、嗅味和UV254等的去除,预加粉末活性炭可以提高对有机物、色度、嗅味的去除,混凝剂投量从10 mg/L增加到50 mg/L,气浮工艺对有机物的去除率提高了30%~40%,水力负荷越高气浮出水浊度越高,回流比越大气浮出水浊度越低,气浮池过长的刮渣周期也会降低出水水质。总之,合理调整气浮池的工艺参数,可以提高气浮出水水质,降低运行成本。     

Effect of chemical dose on phosphorus removal and membrane fouling control in a UCT-MBR

Phosphorus removal was enhanced effectively by dosing aluminum sulfate and effluent phosphorus concentration was lower than 0.5 mg/L. Sludge activity was not inhibited but improved slightly with addition of aluminum sulfate. EPS concentrations both in mixed liquid and on membrane surface were decreased, contributing to the effective mitigation of membrane fouling. To enhance phosphorus removal and make the effluent meet the strict discharge level of total phosphorus (TP, 0.5 mg/L), flocculant dosing is frequently applied. In this study, the performance of aluminum sulfate dosing in a University of Cape Town Membrane Bioreactor (UCT-MBR) was investigated, in terms of the nutrients removal performance, sludge characteristics and membrane fouling. The results indicated that the addition of aluminum sulfate into the aerobic reactor continuously had significantly enhanced phosphorus removal. Moreover, COD, NH₄⁺-N and TN removal were not affected and effluent all met the first level A criteria of GB18918-2002. In addition, the addition of aluminum sulfate had improved the sludge activity slightly and reduced trans-membrane pressure (TMP) increase rate from 1.13 KPa/d to 0.57 KPa/d effectively. The membrane fouling was alleviated attributed to the increased average particle sizes and the decreased accumulation of the small sludge particles on membrane surface. Furthermore, the decline of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) concentration in mixed sludge liquid decreased its accumulation on membrane surface, resulting in the mitigation of membrane fouling directly.     

缺氧—SBR工艺处理焦化废水

对焦化废水进行曝气吹脱,10h氨氮去除率达73．7％,用缺氧－SBR工艺处理焦化废水,进水浓度为COD1474mg/L,NH3-N826.8mg/L时,缺氧SRT10h,SBR曝气10h,沉降2h,出水COD186mg/L,NH3-N290.5mg/L,去除率分别达到87．83％,64．9％。     

Analytical survey of arsenic in geothermal waters from sites in Kyushu,Japan, and a method for removing arsenic using magnetite

The objective of this study was to survey the cation and anion contents of geothermal waters to gather fundamental information on geographical variations. Sixteen sites in hot spring areas on the island of Kyushu in Japan were studied. The study focused on the arsenic content of the samples. Very high arsenic concentrations (more than 0.1 mg/l) were detected in most of the geothermal waters sampled. High contents of boron and fluoride (more than 1.0 mg/l) were also detected in some samples. Arsenic removal was performed on a laboratory scale using columns packed with a magnetite-type adsorbent. The reduction of arsenic contamination to a concentration of less than 0.01 mg/l could be achieved in the early stages of adsorption (bed volume = 200).     

Brown marine algae turbinaria conoides as biosorbent for Malachite green removal: Equilibrium and kinetic modeling

In this study, the biosorption of Malachite green (MG) onto Turbinaria conoides, brown marine algae, was studied with respect to initial pH, temperature, initial dye concentration, and sorbent dosage. The optimum initial pH and temperature values for MG removal were found to be 8.0 and 30°C, respectively. Sorbent dosage was found to strongly influence the removal of MG. Equilibrium studies were carried out to test the validity of the Langmuir (q _max = 66.6 mg/g and b = 0.526 mL mol/L) and the Freundlich (n = 1.826 and K = 3.751 mg/g) isotherms. The kinetic studies indicated the validity of the pseudo first-order and second-order equation.     

Flow characteristic and wastewater treatment performance of a pilot-scale airlift oxidation ditch

A pilot-scale airlift oxidation ditch using bubble diffuser and baffle as aerator was operated in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to investigate its flow characteristic and wastewater treatment performance. Compared with the conventional oxidation ditch process, effective depth and oxygen utilization efficiency of this new process was improved by underwater aeration. Furthermore, it had a reversed velocity distribution, which decreased from the bottom to the top on vertical section. Velocity measurement showed that a velocity over 0.2m/s at the bottom was sufficient to prevent sludge settlement during long term operation. Application of these concepts would save land area and energy consumption by about 25%―50% and 55%, respectively. In this new system, organic biodegradation and nitrification could be well achieved. Denitrification could occur steadily in the straight part by adjusting the airflow rate. An average TN removal rate of 63% was achieved with dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations between 0.6mg/L and 1.5mg/L. The main pollutants in the effluent could meet the strictest discharge standard (COD<50mg/L, NH₄⁺―N<5mg/L, and TN<15mg/L) in China now.