Performance optimization of microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) for palm oil mill effluent (POME) wastewater treatment and sustainable Bio-H2 production using response surface methodology (RSM)

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are a new bio-electrochemical method for converting organic matter to hydrogen gas (H₂). Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is hazardous wastewater that is mostly formed during the crude oil extraction process in the palm oil industry. In the present study, POME was used in the MEC system for hydrogen generation as a feasible treatment technology. To enhance biohydrogen generation from POME in the MEC, an empirical model was generated using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) was utilized to perform twenty experimental runs of MEC given three important variables, namely incubation temperature, initial pH, and influent dilution rate. Experimental results from CCD showed that an average value of 1.16 m³ H₂/m³ d for maximum hydrogen production rate (HPR) was produced. A second-order polynomial model was adjusted to the experimental results from CCD. The regression model showed that the quadratic term of all variables tested had a highly significant effect (P < 0.01) on maximum HPR as a defined response. The analysis of the empirical model revealed that the optimal conditions for maximum HPR were incubation temperature, initial pH, and influent dilution rate of 30.23 ^°C, 6.63, and 50.71%, respectively. Generated regression model predicted a maximum HPR of 1.1659 m³ H₂/m³ d could be generated under optimum conditions. Confirmation experimentation was conducted in the optimal conditions determined. Experimental results of the validation test showed that a maximum HPR of 1.1747 m³ H₂/m³ d was produced.     

污泥基生物炭处理酸性含U(Ⅵ)废水的效能与机理

通过城市污泥（SS）慢速热解制备污泥基生物炭（SSB），并研究初始pH、投加量、共存离子、吸附时间和温度等因素对SSB去除U(Ⅵ)的影响，探讨吸附动力学和吸附等温线特征。通过元素分析、扫描电镜（SEM）、傅里叶红外光谱（FTIR）、X射线衍射（XRD）和X射线光电子能谱（XPS）分析U(Ⅵ)吸附去除的机理。结果表明SSB去除U(Ⅵ)的适宜条件为：pH=3、投加量1 g/L、吸附时间240 min；在此条件下，在温度30℃时最大吸附量为34.51 mg/g。吸附动力学符合拟二级动力学模型；Langmuir吸附等温模型能更好描述生物炭对U(Ⅵ)的吸附行为。U(Ⅵ)吸附去除机理主要包括静电作用，与Si—O—Si的n-π相互作用，与羟基（—OH）、羧基（—COOH）的配位络合。通过5次吸附-解吸试验发现，U(Ⅵ)去除率和SSB再生率均在80%以上。本研究表明污泥基生物炭具备处理与修复酸性含U(Ⅵ)废水污染的潜力。     

Feasibility of Ni/Ti and Ni/GF cathodes in microbial electrolysis cells for hydrogen production from fermentation effluent: A step toward real application

The low cost, low over-potential loss, good catalytic properties for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), high corrosion stability, commercially available, and could be applied in pH-neutral solution and ambient temperature are important properties for the cathode materials when it is applied in microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) technology. This study has two-pronged objectives: the first is to investigate the feasibility of titanium (Ti) and graphite felt (GF) coated with nickel (Ni), and the second is to generate hydrogen from the fermentation effluent (FE). The electrodeposition (ED) method was used to deposit Ni catalyst onto Ti (Ni/Ti) and GF (Ni/GF) surfaces. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy were used to characterize the cathode morphology and element composition. The catalytic properties of Ni/Ti and Ni/GF could be evaluated using the linear sweep voltammetry tests. The maximum volumetric H₂ production rates of MEC using Ni/Ti and Ni/GF cathodes were obtained at 0.39 ± 0.01 and 0.33 ± 0.03 m³ H₂ m⁻³ d⁻¹ respectively. The Ni/Ti and Ni/GF cathodes could be used as alternative cathodes while producing hydrogen from FE.     

Identification and cultivation of hydrogenotrophic methanogens from palm oil mill effluent for high methane production

By means of biorefinery, biogas production through anaerobic digestion is one of the most common treatments of wastewater in the palm oil industry. After biogas production, the treated palm oil mill effluent (POME) is generally discharged into the environment. However, certain level of hazardous compounds still exists in the treated wastewater, which can lead to the pollution of water bodies. In this study, we have investigated the dynamics of volatile organic acids dwelling in consecutive POME treatment lagoons as well as identified, and categorized, microbial species responsible for the treatment process. Bacteria and methanogens, both hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic, related to methane production were identified using mcrA and 16S rRNA genes specific primers. Two hydrogenotrophic methanogens, Methanoculleus marisnigri and Methanoculleus chikugoensis, were found abundant in accordance with high formate concentration throughout the process of anaerobic digestion. This study has also isolated eight consortia of microbes that yielded different methane productions by utilizing formate as the substrate in the synthetic medium. The consortia of a group, containing M. marisnigri, M. chikugoensis, uncultured bacteria, Aminobacterium sp., and Ruminobacillus xylanolyticum, produced the highest methane yield of 259 mL/g COD after 25 days of incubation in the laboratory. The findings from this study are contributing to optimize and increase biogas production in POME, which will allow higher efficiency in palm oil mill wastewater treatment.     

集成式铁基质生物膜反应器自养反硝化深度脱氮

以污水厂处理水为研究对象，采用铁基质生物载体与生物膜耦合实现高效自养反硝化脱氮。考察停留时间（HRT）对系统脱氮效能的影响，通过动力学及微生物群落结构分析，揭示耦合技术的脱氮机理。结果表明：HRT为8 h，对一级A和一级B污水厂处理水，总氮(TN)平均去除率分别为95.41%和92.55%，TN处理负荷分别为0.48 kg TN/(m³·d）和0.58 kg TN/(m³·d），硝化过程氨氮(NH₄⁺-N)饱和常数分别为1.17 mg/L和0.72 mg/L，反硝化过程硝氮(NO₃^--N)饱和常数分别为0.87 mg/L和0.67 mg/L。出水水质分别达到《地表水环境质量标准》Ⅲ类、Ⅴ类水质标准。铁基质生物载体与生物膜耦合系统中微生物优势菌属为Maritimimonas、Rhodobacter和Sphaerotilus, 均为自养反硝化菌，证实了铁基质生物载体可为自养反硝化菌提供电子，实现生物自养反硝化脱氮。     

DTRO膜和NF膜处理污酸废水研究

针对某冶炼厂污酸废水的水质特点,提出"预处理+膜处理"的工艺路线.重点研究了废水pH值对CO2除钙的影响、铝盐药剂种类和反应pH值对除砷、氟的影响,最后分别采用DTRO膜和NF膜对预处理后的废水进行分盐浓缩.试验结果表明:当废水pH值为9.0时,废水中ρ(Ca)最低为1.0 mg/L.当铝盐与氟砷摩尔比为1.3:1.0,反应pH值为6.0时,砷和氟的去除率分别为59.3%和88.0%.在7.5 MPa压力下,DTRO膜产水率高达88%,对各种盐分截留率均大于94.5%.而NF膜在4.0 MPa压力下,硫酸根离子和氯离子的分盐率在99%以上.     

铜冶炼尾矿砂在污酸废水中固氟除氟的研究

介绍了某铜冶炼厂利用炉渣选铜后产生的尾矿砂对污酸废水进行除氟的试验情况,确定了最佳溶解条件和尾矿砂添加量.该冶炼厂将尾矿砂溶解于含氟污酸中,降低污酸中氟离子的腐蚀活性,并强化废水处理工序的絮凝沉降效果.试验表明:尾矿砂最佳溶解温度为50~60℃,溶解时间为1.0 h,尾矿砂最佳溶解粒径为300~400目,添加量为2.5~3.0 g/L.通过高氟污酸溶解尾矿砂,模拟现有污酸废水全流程处理工艺,中和上清液中ρ(F)在20~25 mg/L,除氟效果较为明显.     

钼冶炼厂生活污水和工业废水零排放实践

介绍了某钼冶炼厂废水处理系统的改造实践情况。通过采用AO脱氮技术的地埋式一体化装置代替原有的两级生化曝气池等改造,处理后的生活污水出水COD在50 mg/L以下,氨氮质量浓度在15 mg/L以下,可全部回用于厂区作为绿化及道路清扫等用水;通过增加两级曝气池、pH调节池和溢流水槽对工业废水进行处理后,生产废水出水清澈透明,无杂色,满足GB 8978—1996《污水综合排放标准》一级标准要求,可达标排放或回用,实现了废水的循环利用和零排放,节约了水资源。     

酸性废水中As(Ⅲ)、Cu(Ⅱ)与铁粉的反应行为

在Fe-As(Ⅲ)-Cu(Ⅱ)-H₂O体系中, 研究了酸性废水中As(Ⅲ)、Cu(Ⅱ)与金属铁粉的反应行为, 考察了反应过程中As在气、液、固三相中的分配比。结果表明, As(Ⅲ)和Cu(Ⅱ)离子被Fe还原为单质As和Cu后, As、Cu进一步结合成Cu₅As₂等金属间化合物, 从而促进As(Ⅲ)沉淀反应的发生, 且无AsH3生成。在反应时间40min、铁粉过量系数1.2、溶液初始pH=0.0、温度40 ℃、Cu/As摩尔比1.0条件下, As在气、液、固三相中的分配比分别为0、20.7%和79.3%, 沉砷率为79.3%。     

一种油田清水剂的合成及应用研究

合成了一种阳离子型清水剂,并对其结构进行了红外谱图、核磁共振谱图表征分析,结果表明该产品与目标产物结构一致。在南海某油田对其净水性能做了现场瓶试试验,在投加量为14 mg/L时,其净水效果良好,下层水中含油质量浓度为79 mg/L。在和多种清水剂的对比试验中发现,该产品的处理效果优于其他几种药剂。