Tunable carbon release from melt-blended carbon source particles for simultaneous denitrification in low-C/N wastewater--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Yin, S., Shao, Y., & Zhu, J. (2026). Tunable carbon release from melt-blended carbon source particles for simultaneous denitrification in low-C/N wastewater. Particuology, 108, 241-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2025.10.021

Tunable carbon release from melt-blended carbon source particles for simultaneous denitrification in low-C/N wastewater

Siyuan Yin^{a b}, Yuanyuan Shao^{c *}, Jesse Zhu^{a b d}

a School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
b Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
c Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
d Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo 315200, China

10.1016/j.partic.2025.10.021

January 2026, Received 13 August 2025, Revised 27 October 2025, Accepted 27 October 2025, Available online 6 November 2025, Version of Record 3 December 2025., Volume 108

Pages 241-251

E-mail: Yuanyuan.Shao@nottingham.edu.cn

Highlights

• Melt-blended advanced carbon sources were developed and achieved SCRD to treat low-C/N wastewater.

• Particle porosity and surface roughness identified as key factors controlling carbon-release kinetics.

• Optimized PHC-433 achieved high nitrate removal, avoided inhibition, and sustained long-term performance.

• Kinetic analysis validated the simultaneous carbon release-denitrification behavior of PHC-433.

Abstract

Achieving simultaneous carbon release and denitrification (SCRD) remains a key challenge for solid carbon sources (SCSs) in low-C/N wastewater treatment. In this project, novel melt-blended advanced carbon sources (MB-ACSs) with tunable compositions were developed to regulate SCRD through structural design, where MB-ACSs were engineered to form interpenetrating networks with controllable porosity and diffusivity based on the different compositions of corn cob (CC) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) within a polyethylene (PE) matrix. Among them, MB-433 (40 wt% PE, 30 wt% PHB, 30 wt% CC) exhibited the most balanced structure, integrating rapid CC-derived dissolution, PHB-mediated sustained release, and PE-supported stability. All MB-ACSs displayed a biphasic release pattern – initial surface dissolution followed by internal diffusion – whereas MB-433 maintained a steady carbon supply ideally synchronized with microbial demand. Denitrification assays conducted across a wide range of nitrate loads (25–1000 mg NO3⁻-N/L) and C/N (0, 1.5, 3) showed that MB-433 consistently achieved 60–80 % nitrate removal under moderate conditions (25–50 mg NO3⁻-N/L), avoided inhibition under high-loading and high-carbon conditions (1000 mg NO3⁻-N/L, C/N = 3), and maintained complete denitrification even in the absence of external carbon (C/N = 0). Logistic and exponential fittings confirmed MB-433's superior capacity on SCRD, while Monod modeling revealed high denitrification potential (V_max = 0.172 mg/L d) and strong nitrate affinity (K_s = 8.42 mg/L).

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Melt-blended carbon source; SCRD; Carbon release kinetics; Low C/N wastewater

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