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Optimization of nitrate removal from wastewater with a low C/N ratio using solid-phase denitrification

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 23, pages 698–708 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, the optimization of nitrate removal from wastewater with a low C/N ratio using solid-phase denitrification was investigated. Biodegradable polymer, an attractive alternative to liquid carbon sources for biological denitrification, was used as a carbon source and biofilm support for nitrate removal. An experiment was conducted based on a central composite design (CCD) with response surface methodology (RSM). A secondary polynomial regression with nitrate removal efficiency as response value was developed. Based on statistical analysis, the nitrate removal model was highly significant with very low probability values (<0.0001). At the optimal conditions for nitrate removal (hydraulic retention time (HRT), 3.5 h; influent NO3 −-N concentration, 14.73 mg/L; and influent CODCr concentration, 15.00 mg/L), the nitrate removal efficiency was 99.23 %. The results of an ANOVA and response surface analysis showed that HRT, influent NO3 −-N concentration, influent CODCr concentration, and the interaction between the HRT and influent CODCr concentration significantly affected the nitrate removal efficiency (P < 0.05). In solid-phase denitrification process, electron donor for denitrification could be obtained by biological degradation of biodegradable polymer. Therefore, the influent CODCr concentration has no major effect on nitrate removal efficiency compared with that of HRT and influent NO3 −-N concentration.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the National Water Pollution Control and Management Technology Major Projects (2013ZX07314001002) and the Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (B13041) for their financial support.

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Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China

    Qian Zhang, Fangying Ji & Xiaoyi Xu

Authors
  1. Qian Zhang
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  2. Fangying Ji
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  3. Xiaoyi Xu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoyi Xu.

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Highlights

• Process parameters of the solid-phase denitrification process was optimized using response surface methodology.

• A predicated model was built for nitrate removal efficiency, and the relative error of this model was between 3.7 and 6.7 %.

• The optimized process parameters were obtained, and the nitrate removal efficiency was found to be 99.23 % under these optimized conditions.

• Solid-phase denitrification process was superior to conventional denitrification process for treating wastewater with low C/N ratio.

Responsible editor: Gerald Thouand

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Zhang, Q., Ji, F. & Xu, X. Optimization of nitrate removal from wastewater with a low C/N ratio using solid-phase denitrification. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 698–708 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5308-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5308-7

Keywords

  • Response surface methodology (RSM)
  • Solid-phase denitrification process
  • Polycaprolactone (PCL)
  • Optimization of operation parameters
  • Low C/N ratio