Removal of nutrients from pulp and paper biorefinery effluent: Operation, kinetic modelling and optimization by response surface methodology

Ahmad Hussaini Jagaba, Shamsul Rahman Mohamed Kutty, Mu Naushad, Ibrahim Mohammed Lawal, Azmatullah Noor, Augustine Chioma Affam, Abdullahi Haruna Birniwa, Sule Abubakar, Usman Bala Soja, Kunmi Joshua Abioye, Chinna Bathula

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Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of extended aeration system (EAS) and rice straw activated carbon-extended aeration system (RAC-EAS) in the treatment of pulp and paper biorefinery effluent (PPBE). RAC-EAS focused on the efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass waste (rice straw) as a biosorbent in the treatment process. The experiment was designed by response surface methodology (RSM) and conducted using a bioreactor that operated at 1–3 days hydraulic retention times (HRT) with PPBE concentrations at 20, 60 and 100%. The bioreactor was fed with real PPBE having initial ammonia-N and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations that varied between 11.74 and 59.02 mg/L and 31–161 mg/L, respectively. Findings from the optimized approach by RSM indicated 84.51% and 91.71% ammonia-N and 77.62% and 84.64% total phosphorus reduction in concentration for EAS and RAC-EAS, respectively, with high nitrification rate observed in both bioreactors. Kinetic model optimization indicated that modified stover models was the best suited and were statistically significant (R2 ≥ 0.98) in the analysis of substrate removal rates for ammonia-N and total phosphorus. Maximum nutrients elimination was attained at 60% PPBE and 48 h HRT. Therefore, the model can be utilized in the design and optimization of EAS and RAC-EAS systems and consequently in the prediction of bioreactor behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Article number114091
JournalEnvironmental Research
Volume214
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2022

Keywords

  • Ammonia
  • Extended aeration activated sludge
  • Pulp and paper biorefinery effluent
  • Response surface methodology
  • Rice straw
  • Total phosphorus

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