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Comparison of Scale in a Photosynthetic Reactor System for Algal Remediation of Wastewater
Published on: March 6, 2017
A pilot scale study on the treatment of rare earth tailings (REEs) wastewater with low C/N ratio using microalgae
Haiyu Wang1, Zhuochao Liu1, Dan Cui2
1National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China.
Abstract:
Microalgae appear to be a promising and ecologically safe way for nutrients removal from rare earth tailings (REEs) wastewater with CO2 fixation and added benefits of resource recovery and recycling. In this study, a pilot scale (50 L) co-flocculating microalgae photobioreactor (Ma-PBR) as constructed and operated for 140 days to treat REEs wastewater with low C/N ratio of 0.51-0.56. The removal rate of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) reached 88.04% and the effluent residual concentration was as low as 9.91 mg/L that have met the Emission Standards of Pollutants from Rare Earths Industry (GB 26451-2011). Timely supplementation of trace elements was necessary to maintain the activity of microalgae and then prolonged the operation time. The dominant phyla in co-flocculating microalgae was Chlorophyta, the relative abundance of which was higher than 80%. Tetradesmus belonging to Chlorophyceae was the dominant genus with relative abundance of 80.35%. The results provided a practical support for the scaling-up of Ma-PBR to treat REEs wastewater.
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