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    Influences of pH and organic carbon on oxalate removal by alkaliphilic biofilms acclimatized to nitrogen-deficient and supplemented conditions

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    Authors
    Weerasinghe Mohottige, T.
    Cheng, K.
    Kaksonen, A.
    Sarukkalige, Priyantha Ranjan
    Ginige, M.
    Date
    2018
    Type
    Journal Article
    
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    Citation
    Weerasinghe Mohottige, T. and Cheng, K. and Kaksonen, A. and Sarukkalige, P.R. and Ginige, M. 2018. Influences of pH and organic carbon on oxalate removal by alkaliphilic biofilms acclimatized to nitrogen-deficient and supplemented conditions. Journal of Cleaner Production. 187: pp. 699-707.
    Source Title
    Journal of Cleaner Production
    DOI
    10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.153
    ISSN
    0959-6526
    School
    School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (CME)
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69850
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Accumulation of organic impurities (specifically oxalate) in Bayer liquor is a significant problem for alumina refineries. Microbial degradation is a low-cost solution to the problem, but hostile conditions of Bayer liquor (pH > 14 and nitrogen (N) deficiency) makes it challenging. The solution remains with selection of an appropriate haloalkaliphilic culture and alumina refineries currently have access to two types of bacterial cultures (N-supplemented and N-deficient cultures). To date there is no comparative assessment of the two cultures to examine which one is more suitable to reduce operational risks (i.e. with higher removal efficiencies over a broader range of pH) and costs. Hence, this study compared oxalate removal efficiencies of two packed bed biofilm reactors (N-supplemented and N-deficient) on exposure to a range of influent pH and simple organic compounds. Both reactors were operated (>265 days) at pH 9 and pH influence was compared in batch experiments. Results suggested that both biofilms could tolerate a broad pH range (7–10). The optimal specific oxalate removal rate of N-supplemented reactor was restricted to pH 9, whereas the maximal rate was maintained over a wider pH range (7–8) in N-deficient reactor. In this range, the N-deficient system outperformed the N-supplemented system (105 vs. 130 mg-oxalate/h.g-biomass). Although acclimatised primarily with oxalate, both biofilms simultaneously oxidised other organics (acetate, formate, malonate and succinate) without a noticeable influence on oxalate removal. This study suggests that N-deficient systems are more versatile and better suited to remove organic impurities in Bayer liquor.

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      © 2018 Elsevier Ltd Destruction of oxalate from alumina-refining process liquor is considered essential for many alumina refineries around the world. Some refineries have embraced the use of aerobic bioreactors as a ...
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