Synergistic approach for nutrient loss mitigation and waste management using paired modified bottom ash and woodchip bioreactor treatment system

The increasing prevalence of nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff poses significant threats to water quality and ecosystem health. This study investigates the development and efficacy of woodchip bioreactor-bottom ash pellet (WB-BAP) treatment systems for the simultaneous removal of phosphorus and nitrogen from contaminated water sources. Bench-scale experiments demonstrate BAP's potential as a high-performance adsorbent, achieving an outstanding phosphorus removal efficiency of 95% and a maximum adsorption capacity of 58.14 mg/g. Laboratory-scale assessments of the multiple paired system explored various design parameters, including relative configurations, hydraulic retention time (HRT), initial nutrient concentrations, and the nature of nutrient loading. The treatment system configuration significantly affected nutrient removal performance. The WB-BAP setup was the optimal pairing, achieving a nitrate removal efficiency (NRE) of 75.7 ± 4.8% and a phosphorus removal efficiency (PRE) of 62.4 ± 6.4%. Moreover, prolonged hydraulic retention times (HRTs) significantly enhanced nutrient removal, with optimal nitrogen removal at a 24-hour HRT (NRE of 93.0 ± 2.9%). Furthermore, nutrient removal efficiency was influenced by influent concentrations, with higher nitrogen levels improving nitrate removal and lower initial phosphorus concentrations favoring PRE. Continuous flow conditions yielded better nitrogen removal efficiency compared to intermittent flow, although phosphorus removal was not significantly affected by flow type. Overall, this research underscores the potential of BAP and integrated WB-BAP systems as effective solutions for nutrient loss reduction in agricultural runoff and offers insights for further investigation into their long-term effectiveness and scalability for real-world applications.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Timalsina, Haribansha

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bhattarai, Rabin
• Alves de Oliveira, Luciano
• Cooke, Richard

• Water Quality Remediation
• Nutrient Loss Mitigation
• Waste Management
• Resource Recovery

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Haribansha Timalsina

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127507

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F127507