RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Novel fluidized-bed bioreactors with density-graded carriers for the bioremediation of nitrate in uranium industry effluents
A1 Venturini, Mariano
A1 Bucci, Paula
A1 Muñoz Torre, Raúl
K1 Water sustainability
K1 Water impact
K1 3303.11 Química Industrial
AB This study presents an innovative bioreactor system that employs density-graded floating carriers to effectively remediate complex uranium-contaminated effluents generated by the nuclear industry. By combining the advantages of fixed-bed and fluidized-bed reactors, our system utilizes floating carriers to create a stratified biofilm environment, optimizing biomass retention and mass transfer. Controlled redox potential (ORP) enhances the removal of uranium and associated contaminants, especially in effluents with high-nitrate concentrations. The fluidized-bed configuration, with a high carrier load, minimizes biofilm-induced clogging, ensuring sustained performance. Carriers were synthesized with acrylate polymers in different compositions: HEMA 50%/0 AA, HEMA 50%/25% AA and HEMA 50%/50% AA w/w to obtain different hydrodynamic properties. The particle terminal velocities and drag coefficients of carriers were 3.14 × 10−6 m s−1, 5 × 10−5 m s−1, and 2 × 10−4 m s−1 and 661 976, 20 734, and 26 221, respectively. The system achieved nitrate and COD removal efficiencies of up to 90% and 84%, respectively, at a hydraulic retention time of 23.9 h and with low energy consumption. The system behaved like a fluidized bed with a high carrier load similar to the PBBR, showing piston flux and variable column fluidization based on carrier densities. Frictions and collisions prevented clogging due to biofilm formation, ensuring sustained performance.
PB Royal Society of Chemistry
SN 2053-1400
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76984
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76984
LA eng
NO Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology, 2025, vol. 11, n. 5. p. 1339-1351
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 03-ago-2025