Effects of La, Ce on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactor

Abstract

Batch experiments were conducted to study the short-term biological effects of rare earth ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺) and their mixture on the nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The data showed that higher NH⁺₄―N removal rate, total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency, and denitrification efficiency were achieved at lower concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) (<1mg/L). In the first hour of the aeration stage of SBR, the presence of REEs increased the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and NH⁺₄―N removal efficiency by 15.7% and 10%―15%, respectively. When the concentrations of REEs were higher than 1mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency decreased, and nitrate was found to accumulate in the effluent. When the concentrations of REEs was up to 50.0mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency was less than 30% of the control efficiency with a high level of nitrate. Lower concentrations of REEs were found to accelerate the nitrogen conversion and removal in SBR.

Keywords

rare earth / La³⁺ / Ce³⁺ / inorganic nitrogen / nitrogen removal / sequencing batch reactor