Thermodynamic behaviors of Cu in interaction with chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus and minerals during sewage sludge co-incineration

Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations were performed to reveal effects of interactions among Cl, S, P and other minerals on Cu migration. Our results showed that HCl(g), SO2(g) and(P_2O_5)_2(g) were released from the sewage sludge co-incineration. Cl was found to weaken adsorption of Cu by Al_2O_3, CaO and Fe_2O_3, while S delayed reactions of Fe_2O_3 and Al_2O_3 with Cu, with P having no effect on reactions between the minerals and Cu.Among the coupled systems of Cl, S and P, the co-existences of Cl and S, and Cl, S and P were determined to inhibit Cu volatilization, and the co-existence of Cl and P had an enhancing effect. Cu migration was affected only by S in the S and P system. With the SiO_2, CaO and Al_2O_3 system, both Cl alone and Cl and P led to failed reactions between the minerals and Cu. In the systems of S, S and Cl, S and P, and S, Cl and P, the migration behavior of Cu was mainly affected by S at low temperatures and by Cl at high temperatures, whereas P had no effect on Cu migration during the entire process.

Feasibility of low-intensity ultrasound treatment with hydroxylamine to accelerate the initiation of partial nitrification and allow operation under intermittent aeration

Partial nitrification is a key aspect of efficient nitrogen removal,although practically it suf-fers from long start-up cycles and unstable long-term operational performance.To address these drawbacks,this study investigated the effect of low intensity ultrasound treatment combined with hydroxylamine(NH2OH)on the performance of partial nitrification.Results showthat compared with the control group,low-intensity ultrasound treatment(0.10W/mL,15 min)combined with NH2OH(5 mg/L)reduced the time required for partial nitrification initiation by 6 days,increasing the nitrite accumulation rate(NAR)and ammonia nitro-gen removal rate(NRR)by 20.4% and 6.7%,respectively,achieving 96.48% NRR.Mechanis-tic analysis showed that NH2OH enhanced ammonia oxidation,inhibited nitrite-oxidizing bacteria(NOB)activity and shortened the time required for partial nitrification initiation.Furthermore,ultrasonication combined with NH2OH dosing stimulated EPS(extracellular polymeric substances)secretion,increased carbonyl,hydroxyl and amine functional group abundances and enhanced mass transfer.In addition,16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that ultrasonication-sensitive Nitrospira disappeared from the ultrasound+NH_(2)OH system,while Nitrosomonas gradually became the dominant group.Collectively,the results of this study provide valuable insight into the enhancement of partial nitrification start-up during the process of wastewater nitrogen removal.

An experimental and thermodynamic equilibrium investigation of the Pb,Zn,Cr,Cu,Mn and Ni partitioning during sewage sludge incineration

The effects of different chlorides and operational conditions on the distribution and speciation of six heavy metals(Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Mn and Ni) during sludge incineration were investigated using a simulated laboratory tubular-furnace reactor. A thermodynamic equilibrium investigation using the Fact Sage software was performed to compare the experimental results. The results indicate that the volatility of the target metals was enhanced as the chlorine concentration increased. Inorganic-Cl influenced the volatilization of heavy metals in the order of Pb > Zn > Cr > Cu > Mn > Ni. However, the effects of organic-Cl on the volatility of Mn, Pb and Cu were greater than the effects on Zn, Cr and Ni.With increasing combustion temperature, the presence of organic-Cl(PVC) and inorganic-Cl(NaCl) improved the transfer of Pb and Zn from bottom ash to fly ash or fuse gas. However,the presence of chloride had no obvious influence on Mn, Cu and Ni. Increased retention time could increase the volatilization rate of heavy metals; however, this effect was insignificant. During the incineration process, Pb readily formed Pb SiO4 and remained in the bottom ash. Different Pb compounds, primarily the volatile PbCl2, were found in the gas phase after the addition of NaCl; the dominant Pb compounds in the gas phase after the addition of PVC were PbCl2, Pb(ClO4)2and Pb Cl2O4.