Work

Limited Utilization of an External Carbon Source in a Rotating Electro-Biological Disc Contactor (REBDC)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Overdosing an external carbon source can lead to its incomplete utilization. With this in mind, this study aimed to investigate the effect of carbon dosing on nutrient removal in a rotating electro-biological disc contactor (REBDC) treating hydroponic tomato wastewater and to evaluate its impact on effluent COD under a constant electric current (2.5 A/m2). In REBDC, discs served as the cathode, and an aluminum sheet placed in the tank served as the anode. Sodium acetate was added to provide carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. The HRT was 24 h. The phosphorus removal efficiency in the REBDC exceeded 90% at C/N ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0. A several-fold increase was observed in nitrogen removal efficiency at C/N = 2.0 and C/N = 3.0 compared to C/N = 0.5 (9 and 11 times higher, respectively). At C/N ratios of 2.0 and 3.0, the efficiency was 56.0% and 65%, respectively. Considerable amounts of unutilized organic carbon were found in the REBDC-treated wastewater. The rational solution would be to extend the HRT, which would enable greater substrate consumption and nitrogen removal.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr13103115

Authors: Joanna Rodziewicz, Artur Mielcarek, Kamil Bryszewski, Marian Kwietniewski, Wojciech Janczukowicz

Institutions: University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warsaw University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Wastewater Treatment and Nitrogen Removal

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896