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Removal of high concentrations of NO3− from nuclear industrial wastewater by using a fixed-bed bioreactor

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Abstract

In this work, a down-flow fixed bed anaerobic biofilm reactor filled by biological ceramsites were prepared to remove the high concentration of NO3− (> 20 g/L) from nuclear industry wastewaters. The effects of hydraulic retention time, the concentration of NO3−, the molar ratio of C/N and temperature on the removal efficiencies of NO3− were investigated. The results showed that the removal rate of NO3− with the initial concentration of 6 g/L can reach 99% or more by controlling the hydraulic retention time at 0.75 h, the molar ratio of C/N at 1.5 and the temperature over 18 °C. In the process, the NO2− was not accumulated, and the autotrophic denitrifying bacteria grow well in anaerobic biofilm reactors, proving a usable method for removing the high concentration NO3− from nuclear industrial wastewaters.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the nuclear energy development project of the State Administration of Science. Technology and Industry for National Defense. PRC and CNNC Jianzhong Nuclear fuel Co., Ltd. (190GHN001), the Opening Project of Cooperative Innovation Center for Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technology and Equipment, University of South China (2019KFQ06) and Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Hunan (18C0448).

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Author notes

  1. Qingliang Wang provided ideas for the entire thesis, provided an experimental platform and scientific research funding. Zhiwu Lei supervised and guided the whole process of the experiment and the publication of the article.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, China, Hengyang

    Hao Su

  2. School of Resource and Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, China

    Zhiwu Lei, Eming Hu, Hongqiang Wang, Peiwen Wang, Wen Zhou & Qingliang Wang

  3. Cooperative Innovation Center for Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technology and Equipment, University of South China, Hengyang, China

    Hao Su, Zhiwu Lei, Eming Hu & Qingliang Wang

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  1. Hao Su
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Su, H., Lei, Z., Hu, E. et al. Removal of high concentrations of NO3− from nuclear industrial wastewater by using a fixed-bed bioreactor. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 324, 803–811 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07104-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07104-w

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