Effects of feeding time and organic loading in an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR) treating diluted whey

An investigation was carried out on the performance of an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR) treating diluted cheese whey when submitted to different feed strategies and volumetric organic loads (VOL). Polyurethane foam cubes were used as support for biomass immobilization and stirring was provided by helix impellers. The reactor with a working volume of 3 L treated 2 L of wastewater in 8-h cycles at 500 rpm and 30 degrees C. The organic loads applied were 2, 4, 8 and 12 g COD L(-1) d(-1), obtained by increasing the feed concentration. Alkalinity was supplemented at a ratio of 50% NaHCO(3)/COD. For each organic load applied three feed strategies were tested: (a) batch operation with 8-h cycle; (b) 2-h fed-batch operation followed by 6-h batch; and (c) 4-h fed-batch followed by 4-h batch. The 2-h fed-batch operation followed by 6-h batch presented the best results for the organic loads of 2 and 4 g COD L(-1) d(-1), whereas the 4-h fed-batch operation followed by 4-h batch presented results slightly inferior for the same organic loads and the best results at organic loads of 8 and 12 g COD L(-1) d(-1). The concentration of total volatile acids varied with fill time. For the higher fill times maximum concentrations were obtained at the end of the cycle. Moreover, no significant difference was detected in the maximum concentration of total volatile acids for any of the investigated conditions. However, the maximum values of propionic acid tended to decrease with increasing fill time considering the same organic load. Microbiological analyses revealed the presence of Methanosaeta-like structures and methanogenic hydrogenotrophic-like fluorescent bacilli. No Methanosarcina-like structures were observed in the samples.     

Kinetic development and evaluation of membrane sequencing batch reactor (MSBR) with mixed cultures photosynthetic bacteria for dairy wastewater treatment

This experimental study was conducted to evaluate a membrane sequencing batch reactor (MSBR) with mixed culture photosynthetic bacteria for dairy wastewater treatment. The study was undertaken in two steps: laboratory and pilot scale experiments. In the first step, kinetics analysis of the MSBR was carried out in a laboratory scale experiment with influent COD concentration of 2500 mg/L. The pilot scale experiment was conducted to investigate the performance of the MSBR and checked the suitability of the kinetics for an engineering design. The kinetic coefficients K_s, k, k_d, Y and μ_m were found to be 174-mg-COD/L, 7.42/d, 0.1383/d, 0.2281/d and 1.69/d, respectively. There were some deviations of COD removal efficiency between the design value and the actual value. From the kinetics estimation, COD effluent from the design was 27 mg/L while the average actual COD effluent from the experiment was 149 mg/L. Due to the different light source condition, the factors relating to light energy (i.e. L_f and IR_%) must be incorporated into engineering design and performance prediction with these kinetic coefficients of the photosynthetic MSBR.     

Temperature and feed strategy effects on sulfate and organic matter removal in an AnSBB

The objective of this work was to analyze the interaction effects between temperature, feed strategy and COD/[SO(4)(2-)] levels, maintaining the same ratio, on sulfate and organic matter removal efficiency from a synthetic wastewater. This work is thus a continuation of Archilha et al. (2010) who studied the effect of feed strategy at 30 °C using different COD/[SO(4)(2-)] ratios and levels. A 3.7-L anaerobic sequencing batch reactor with recirculation of the liquid phase and which contained immobilized biomass on polyurethane foam (AnSBBR) was used to treat 2.0 L synthetic wastewater in 8 h cycles. The temperatures of 15, 22.5 and 30 °C with two feed strategies were assessed: (a) batch and (b) batch followed by fed-batch. In strategy (a) the reactor was fed in 10 min with 2 L wastewater containing sulfate and carbon sources. In strategy (b) 1.2 L wastewater (containing only the sulfate source) was fed during the first 10 min of the cycle and the remaining 0.8 L (containing only the carbon source) in 240 min. Based on COD/[SO(4)(2-)] = 1 and on the organic matter (0.5 and 1.5 gCOD/L) and sulfate (0.5 and 1.5 gSO(4)(2-)/L) concentrations, the sulfate and organic matter loading rates applied were 1.5 and 4.5 g/L.d, i.e., same COD/[SO(4)(2-)] ratio (=1) but different levels (1.5/1.5 and 4.5/4.5 gCOD/gSO(4)(2-)). When reactor feed was 1.5 gCOD/L.d and 1.5 gSO(4)(2-)/L.d, gradual feeding (strategy b) showed to favor sulfate and organic matter removal in the investigated temperature range, indicating improved utilization of the electron donor for sulfate reduction. Sulfate removal efficiencies were 87.9; 86.3 and 84.4%, and organic matter removal efficiencies 95.2; 86.5 and 80.8% at operation temperatures of 30; 22.5 and 15 °C, respectively. On the other hand, when feeding was 4.5 gCOD/L.d and 4.5 gSO(4)(2-)/L.d, gradual feeding did not favor sulfate removal, indicating that gradual feeding of the electron donor did not improve sulfate reduction.     

Influence of support material on the immobilization of biomass for the degradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in anaerobic reactors

Two horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactors (HAIB) were used to study the degradation of the LAS surfactant: one filled with charcoal (HAIB1) and the other with a mixed bed of expanded clay and polyurethane foam (HAIB2). The reactors were fed with synthetic substrate supplemented with 14 mg l(-1)of LAS, kept at 30+/-2 degrees C and operated with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12h. The surfactant was quantified by HPLC. Spatial variation analyses were done to quantify organic matter and LAS consumption along the reactor length. The presence of the surfactant in the load did not affect the removal of organic matter (COD), which was close to 90% in both reactors for an influent COD of 550 mg l(-1). The results of a mass balance indicated that 28% of all LAS added to HAIB1 was removed by degradation. HAIB2 presented 27% degradation. Molecular biology techniques revealed microorganisms belonging the uncultured Holophaga sp., uncultured delta Proteobacterium, uncultured Verrucomicrobium sp., Bacteroides sp. and uncultured gamma Proteobacterium sp. The reactor with biomass immobilized on charcoal presented lower adsorption and a higher kinetic degradation coefficient. So, it was the most suitable support for LAS anaerobic treatment.     

SBR系统中pH与MLSS对同步硝化反硝化的影响

本文研究了SBR系统中pH值、MISS的变化对同步硝化反硝化的影响。结果表明：在进水水质和反应条件相同时，将pH值控制在8．5，出水水质最好，COD去除率达到90．0％，总氮去除率达到99．4％；在进水水质和反应条件相同，反应器中MLSS为520mg／L时，出水水质最好，COD去除率达到85馏％，总氮去除率达到99．1％。     

AnSBBR applied to the treatment of wastewater from a personal care industry: Effect of organic load and fill time

The objective of this work was to study the technological feasibility of treating wastewater from a personal care industry (PCI-WW) in a mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (AnSBBR) containing immobilized biomass on polyurethane foam. An assessment was made on how system efficiency and stability would be affected by: increasing organic load; supplementation of nutrients and alkalinity; and different feed strategies. The AnSBBR operated with 8-h cycles, stirring speed of 400 rpm, temperature of 30 °C, and treated with 2.0 L wastewater per cycle. First the efficiency and stability of the AnSBBR were studied when submitted to an organic loading rate (OLR) of 3.1–9.4 gCOD/(L d), and when the PCI-WW was supplemented with nutrients (sucrose, urea, trace metals) and alkalinity. The AnSBBR was shown to be robust and presented stability and removal efficiency exceeding 90%. At an OLR of 12.0 gCOD/(L d) efficiency became difficult to maintain due to the presence of commercial cleansers and disinfectants in the wastewater lots. In a subsequent stage the AnSBBR treated the wastewater supplemented with alkalinity, but with no nutrients at varying feed strategies and maintaining an OLR of approximately 9.0 gCOD/(L d). The first strategy consists of feeding 2.0 L of the influent batchwise [OLR of 9.4 gCOD/(L d)]. In the second 1.0 L of influent was fed-batchwise and an additional 1.0 L was fed fed-batchwise [OLR of 9.2 gCOD/(L d)], i.e., in relation to the first strategy the feed volume was maintained but supplied in different periods. In the third strategy 1.0 L of treated effluent was maintained in the reactor and 1.0 L of influent was fed fed-batchwise [OLR of 9.0 gCOD/(L d)], i.e., in relation to the first strategy the feed volume was different but the feed period was the same and the OLR was maintained by increasing the influent concentration. Comparison of the first and second strategies revealed that organic matter removal efficiency was unaffected (exceeding 90%). The third strategy resulted in a reduction in average removal efficiency from 91 to 83% when compared to the first one. A kinetic study resulted in first order kinetic parameters ranges from 0.42 to 1.46 h⁻¹ at OLRs from 3.1 to 12.0 gCOD/(L d), respectively, and the second feed strategy [OLR of 9.2 gCOD/(L d)] was shown to be the most favorable.     

Effect of feeding strategy and COD/sulfate ratio on the removal of sulfate in an AnSBBR with recirculation of the liquid phase

The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of the interaction between feeding strategy and COD/sulfate ratio on the removal efficiency of sulfate and organic matter from a synthetic wastewater. An anaerobic sequencing batch reactor with recirculation of the liquid phase and containing immobilized biomass on polyurethane foam (AnSBBR) was used. The AnSBBR with a total volume of 3.7 L, treated 2.0 L synthetic wastewater in 8-h cycles at 30 ± 1 °C and was inoculated with anaerobic biomass from a UASB. Two feeding strategies were assessed: (a) batch and (b) batch followed by fed-batch. In strategy (a) the reactor was fed in 10 min with 2 L wastewater containing sulfate and carbon sources. In strategy (b) 1.2 L wastewater (containing only the sulfate source) was fed during the first 10 min of the cycle and the remaining 0.8 L (containing only the carbon source) in 240 min. The COD/sulfate ratios assessed were 1 and 3. Based on these values and on the concentrations of organic matter (0.5–11.25 gCOD/L) and sulfate (0.5 and 2.5 gSO₄^2?/L), the sulfate and organic matter loading rates applied equaled 1.5 and 4.5 gSO₄^2?/L d for sulfate and 1.5, 4.5 and 13.5 gCOD/L d for organic matter. After stabilization of the system time profiles were run of monitored parameters (COD, sulfate, sulfide and sulfite). In general, the reactor showed to be robust for use in the anaerobic treatment of wastewaters containing sulfate. Gradual feeding (strategy b) of the carbon source favored sulfate reduction, resulting in sulfate removal efficiencies of 84–98% and organic matter removal efficiencies of 48–95%. The best results were observed under COD/sulfate ratio equal to 1 (loading rates of 1.5 and 4.5 gSO₄^2?/L d for sulfate, and 1.5 and 4.5 gCOD/L d for organic matter). When COD/sulfate ratio was 3 (loading rates of 1.5 and 4.5 gSO₄^2?/L d for sulfate, and 4.5 and 13.5 gCOD/L d for organic matter) the effect of feed mode became less significant. These results show that the strategy batch followed by fed-batch is more advantageous for COD/sulfate ratios near the stoichiometric value (0.67) and higher organic matter and sulfate concentrations.     

Some properties of a granular activated carbon-sequencing batch reactor (GAC-SBR) system for treatment of textile wastewater containing direct dyes

Resting (living) bio-sludge from a domestic wastewater treatment plant was used as an adsorbent of both direct dyes and organic matter in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system. The dye adsorption capacity of the bio-sludge was not increased by acclimatization with direct dyes. The adsorption of Direct Red 23 and Direct Blue 201 onto the bio-sludge was almost the same. The resting bio-sludge showed higher adsorption capacity than the autoclaved bio-sludge. The resting bio-sludge that was acclimatized with synthetic textile wastewater (STWW) without direct dyes showed the highest Direct Blue 201, COD, and BOD(5) removal capacities of 16.1+/-0.4, 453+/-7, and 293+/-9 mg/g of bio-sludge, respectively. After reuse, the dye adsorption ability of deteriorated bio-sludge was recovered by washing with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution. The direct dyes in the STWW were also easily removed by a GAC-SBR system. The dye removal efficiencies were higher than 80%, even when the system was operated under a high organic loading of 0.36kgBOD(5)/m(3)-d. The GAC-SBR system, however, showed a low direct dye removal efficiency of only 57+/-2.1% with raw textile wastewater (TWW) even though the system was operated with an organic loading of only 0.083kgBOD(5)/m(3)-d. The dyes, COD, BOD(5), and total kjeldalh nitrogen removal efficiencies increased up to 76.0+/-2.8%, 86.2+/-0.5%, 84.2+/-0.7%, and 68.2+/-2.1%, respectively, when 0.89 g/L glucose (organic loading of 0.17kgBOD(5)/m(3)-d) was supplemented into the TWW.     

WATER RECLAMATION BY PHYSICOCHEMICAL TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER1

ABSTRACT. Treatment of a high strength acidic industrial chemical waste, which had a COD of about 3000 mg/1 and a pH of 3, was attempted by activated carbon adsorption to evaluate the feasibility of yielding effluents of reusable qualities. The experimental methods which were employed in this investigation included batch and column studies. The former was used to evaluate the rate and equilibrium of carbon adsorption while the latter was used to determine treatment efficiencies and performance characteristics. Parallel operations of fixed-bed and expanded-bed adsorbers were contrasted in the column study. Results of this investication indicate that activated carbon was very efficient in removing the COD of the chemical waste. Initial pH adjustments for the wastewater to 7.0 or 11.4 did not increase the COD removal efficiency. Turbidity and nitrogen (total Kjeldahl- and ammonia-N) were removed to some extents by the carbon bed adsorbers while phosphorus (total-and ortho-P) was totally unaffected by the carbon treatment.     

组合人工湿地对化工园区尾水COD的去除及其模拟

采用组合人工湿地中试试验对工业园区污水厂尾水进行处理,研究了3种不同的水力负荷(10cm/d,20cm/d和25cm/d)下COD的去除,并用一级动力学模型对组合人工湿地及其各个湿地单元的COD的去除进行了模拟。结果表明组合人工湿地对COD的去除受水力负荷影响有限,去除率基本都在60%以上,系统出水COD浓度在40mg/L以下,并且夏季的去除效果最佳。对数学模拟的结果进行分析,发现一、二级潜流湿地对COD去除贡献较大,另外组合人工湿地系统对COD的去除效果也优于单个的湿地。系统最终出水中的COD模拟结果和实测值相接近,说明基于一级动力学模型的组合人工湿地数学模拟对实际运行有指导意义。     

Kinetic of carbonaceous substrate in an upflow anaerobic sludge sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating 2,4 dichlorophenol (2,4 DCP)

The performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating 2,4 dichlorophenol (2,4 DCP) was evaluated at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) using synthetic wastewater in order to obtain the growth substrate (glucose-COD) and 2,4 DCP removal kinetics. Treatment efficiencies of the UASB reactor were investigated at different hydraulic retention times (2-20 h) corresponding to a food to mass (F/M) ratio of 1.2-1.92 g-COD g(-1) VSS day(-1). A total of 65-83% COD removal efficiencies were obtained at HRTs of 2-20 h. In all, 83% and 99% 2,4 DCP removals were achieved at the same HRTs in the UASB reactor. Conventional Monod, Grau Second-order and Modified Stover-Kincannon models were applied to determine the substrate removal kinetics of the UASB reactor. The experimental data obtained from the kinetic models showed that the Monod kinetic model is more appropriate for correlating the substrate removals compared to the other models for the UASB reactor. The maximum specific substrate utilization rate (k) (mg-COD mg(-1) SS day(-1)), half-velocity concentration (K(s)) (mg COD l(-1)), growth yield coefficient (Y) (mg mg(-1)) and bacterial decay coefficient (b) (day(-1)) were 0.954 mg-COD mg(-1) SS day(-1), 560.29 mg-COD l(-1), 0.78 mg-SS g(-1)-COD, 0.093 day(-1) in the Conventional Monod kinetic model. The second-order kinetic coefficient (k(2)) was calculated as 0.26 day(-1) in the Grau reaction kinetic model. The maximum COD removal rate constant (U(max)) and saturation value (K(B)) were calculated as 7.502 mg CODl(-1)day(-1) and 34.56 mg l(-1)day(-1) in the Modified Stover-Kincannon Model. The (k)(mg-2,4 DCP mg(-1) SS day(-1)), (K(s)) (mg 2,4 DCPl(-1)), (Y) (mg SS mg(-1) 2,4 DCP) and (k(d)) (day(-1)) were 0.0041 mg-2,4 DCP mg(-1) SS day(-1), 2.06 mg-COD l(-1), 0.0017 mg-SS mg(-1) 2,4 DCP and 3.1 x 10(-5) day(-1) in the Conventional Monod kinetic model for 2,4 DCP degradation. The second-order kinetic coefficient (k(2)) was calculated as 0.30 day(-1) in the Grau reaction kinetic model. The maximum 2,4 DCP removal rate constant (U(max)) and saturation value (K(B)) were calculated as 0.01 mg COD l(-1) day(-1) and 9.8 x 10(-3) mg l(-1) day(-1) in the Modified Stover-Kincannon model.     

Biological treatment of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) containing wastewater in a hybrid bioreactor system with effluent recycle

Due to the toxic effects of trichlorophenol (TCP) on microorganisms, biological treatment efficiencies of TCP containing wastewaters are usually low. Synthetic wastewater containing 2,4,6-TCP was biologically treated in a hybrid-loop bioreactor system consisting of a packed column biofilm and an aerated tank bioreactor with effluent recycle in order to improve COD and TCP removals. Effects of the feed TCP concentration on COD, TCP and toxicity removal performance of the system were investigated for the feed TCP between 50 and 450 mg L(-1) while the sludge age (solids retention time, SRT) and hydraulic residence time (HRT) were kept constant at 20 d and 25 h, respectively. Biomass concentrations in the packed column and in the aeration tank decreased with increasing feed TCP concentrations due to toxic effects of TCP on the organisms. Low biomass concentrations in the system at high feed TCP contents resulted in low COD, TCP and toxicity removals. Therefore, percent TCP, COD and toxicity removals decreased with increasing feed TCP concentrations especially above 400 mg L(-1). The effluent TCP concentrations were lower than 20 mg L(-1) for the feed TCP concentrations below 390 mg L(-1) resulting in TCP and COD removals above 90%. Specific rates of TCP and COD removals increased with the feed TCP due to low biomass concentrations at high TCP contents. The system should be operated at a feed TCP lower than 400 mg L(-1) in order to obtain more than 90% TCP, COD and toxicity removals under the specified experimental conditions.     

Effect of impeller type and agitation on the performance of pilot scale ASBR and AnSBBR applied to sanitary wastewater treatment

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of agitation rate and impeller type in two mechanically stirred sequencing batch reactors: one containing granulated biomass (denominated ASBR) and the other immobilized biomass on polyurethane foam (denominated AnSBBR). Each configuration, with total volume of 1 m³, treated 0.65 m³ sanitary wastewater at ambient temperature in 8-h cycles. Three impeller types were assessed for each reactor configuration: flat-blade turbine impeller, 45°-inclined-blade turbine impeller and helix impeller, as well as two agitation rates: 40 and 80 rpm, resulting in a combination of six experimental conditions. In addition, the ASBR was also operated at 20 rpm with a flat-blade turbine impeller and the AnSBBR was operated with a draft tube and helix impeller at 80 and 120 rpm. To quantify how impeller type and agitation rate relate to substrate consumption rate, results obtained during monitoring at the end of the cycle, as well as the time profiles during a cycle were analyzed. Increasing agitation rate from 40 rpm to 80 rpm in the AnSBBR improved substrate consumption rate whereas in the ASBR this increase destabilized the system, likely due to granule rupture caused by the higher agitation. The AnSBBR showed highest solids and substrate removal, highest kinetic constant and highest alkalinity production when using a helix impeller, 80 rpm, and no draft tube. The best condition for the ASBR was achieved with a flat-blade turbine impeller at 20 rpm. The presence of the draft tube in the AnSBBR did not show significant improvement in reactor efficiency. Furthermore, power consumption studies in these pilot scale reactors showed that power transfer required to improve mass transfer might be technically and economically feasible.     

The formation of aerobic granular sludge for the treatment of real landfill leachate using a granular sequencing batch reactor at a constant volume

Leachate generated in a landfill may not be treated by conventional biological treatment due to its nature and complexity. The process of forming aerobic granules in batch sequencing reactors having features such as; reducing the settling process time and saving energy consumption and high decomposition rate have been noticed by researchers. In the present study, the structure of sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) was evaluated for the formation of granules, which were subsequently utilized for the treatment of landfill leachate. The experiment was initiated by using the GSBR, containing 1200 ml with different apparatuses, to develop granular sludge, and synthetic wastewater was added to reinforcement. The selected parameters for the operational hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the wastewater (6-h cycles) included feeding, idle, aeration, settling, and discharge. Furthermore, the controlled conditions were the dissolved oxygen (DO) range of 2–2.2 mg/L, temperature range of 20–23℃, and pH of 7.5–8.3. The chemical oxygen demand (COD), mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), and sludge volume index (SVI) daily were measured at the influent and effluent of GSBR reactor. The main properties of aerobic granular sludge were identified during the research procedures, and the remarkable settling and potent, high-density microbial structure of the granules were confirmed. The mean size of the formulated granules was estimated at 7.46 ± 1.8 mm, and the volume of the biomass also increased from approximately 1607 to 4137 mg/L through the granulation process. Moreover, 98% of the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) could be removed by the formulated granular sludge, and the final-stage organic loading rate was estimated at 5.65 COD/m³/day. According to the results, GSBRs could be employed for the formulation of aerobic granular sludge for the treatment of landfill leachate.     

Exploitation of Trichoderma harzianum mycelial waste for the removal of rhodamine 6G from aqueous solution

The harvested mycelial waste of Trichoderma harzianum was used as an adsorbent for the removal of rhodamine 6G and was studied in batch mode. The effects of agitation time and initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage and pH were examined. The study revealed that the amount of dye adsorbed (mgg(-1)) increased with increase in agitation time and reached equilibrium after 120 min, for dye concentrations of 10-50 mg L(-1). The adsorbent dosage of 1.0 g/50 mL and pH of 8.0 were found to be optimum for maximum dye removal. The batch mode adsorption data followed both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The pseudo first- and second-order rate kinetics were applied to the adsorbent system. The adsorption kinetics of rhodamine 6G showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided the best correlation of the equilibrium data. The study implies that it is possible to develop a dye removal system by using T. harzianum biomass, which occurs as sludge in waste stream of fermentation industries.     

Sequencing batch reactor biofilm system for treatment of milk industry wastewater

A sequencing batch reactor biofilm (MSBR) system was modified from the conventional sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system by installing 2.7 m2 surface area of plastic media on the bottom of the reactor to increase the system efficiency and bio-sludge quality by increasing the bio-sludge in the system. The COD, BOD5, total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and oil & grease removal efficiencies of the MSBR system, under a high organic loading of 1340 g BOD5/m3 d, were 89.3+/-0.1, 83.0+/-0.2, 59.4+/-0.8, and 82.4+/-0.4%, respectively, while they were only 87.0+/-0.2, 79.9+/-0.3, 48.7+/-1.7 and 79.3+/-10%, respectively, in the conventional SBR system. The amount of excess bio-sludge in the MSBR system was about 3 times lower than that in the conventional SBR system. The sludge volume index (SVI) of the MSBR system was lower than 100 ml/g under an organic loading of up to 1340 g BOD5/m3 d. However, the MSBR under an organic loading of 680 g BOD5/m3 d gave the highest COD, BOD5, TKN and oil & grease removal efficiencies of 97.9+/-0.0, 97.9+/-0.1, 79.3+/-1.0 and 94.8+/-0.5%, respectively, without any excess bio-sludge waste. The SVI of suspended bio-sludge in the MSBR system was only 44+/-3.4 ml/g under an organic loading of 680 g BOD5/m3 d.     

Influence of organic loading on an anaerobic sequencing biofilm batch reactor (ASBBR) as a function of cycle period and wastewater concentration

The effect of organic loading on the performance of a mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing biofilm batch reactor (ASBBR) has been investigated, by varying influent concentration and cycle period. For microbial immobilization 1-cm polyurethane foam cubes were used. An agitation rate of 500 rpm and temperature of 30+/-2 degrees C were employed. Organic loading rates (OLR) of 1.5-6.0gCODl(-1)d(-1) were applied to the 6.3-l reactor treating 2.0 l synthetic wastewater in 8 and 12-h batches and at concentrations of 500-2000mgCODl(-1), making it possible to analyze the effect of these two operation variables for the same organic loading range. Microbial immobilization on inert support maintained approximately 60 gTVS in the reactor. Filtered sample organic COD removal efficiencies ranged from 73 to 88% for organic loading up to 5.4gCODl(-1)d(-1). For higher organic loading (influent concentration of 2000mgCODl(-1) and 8-h cycle) the system presented total volatile acids accumulation, which reduced organics removal efficiency down to 55%. In this way, ASBBR with immobilized biomass was shown to be efficient for organic removal at organic loading rates of up to 5.4gCODl(-1)d(-1) and to be more stable to organic loading variations for 12-h cycles. This reactor might be an alternative to intermittent systems as it possesses greater operational flexibility. It might also be an alternative to batch systems suspended with microorganisms since it eliminates both the uncertainties regarding granulation and the time necessary for biomass sedimentation, hence reducing the total cycle period.     

Estimation of intracellular phosphorus content of phosphorus-accumulating organisms at different P:COD feeding ratios

The intracellular phosphorus content of phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAO) was determined based on a stoichiometric equation and phosphorus balance for an enhanced biological phosphorus removal system fed with different P:COD ratios. The data indicated that a higher P:COD feeding ratio could significantly promote the growth of PAO. As the P:COD feeding ratio increased from 0.02:1 to 0.04:1 and 0.16:1, the phosphorus in the sludge increased considerably from 0.053 to 0.084 and 0.205 mg P (mg VSS(aerobic))(-1), respectively, indicating a dynamic condition in the microbial population. From the calculations, the mass fractions of the PAO, glycogen-accumulating organisms, and ordinary heterotrophs changed from 0.10-0.15, 0.83-0.88, and 0.02 at 0.02:1 to 0.19-0.28, 0.70-0.79, and 0.02 at 0.04:1 and to 0.478-0.71, 0.26-0.50, 0.03 at 0.16:1 P:COD feeding ratios, respectively. Despite the variation in microbial diversity, the calculated phosphorus contents of the PAO at all P:COD feeding ratios were consistent between 0.241 and 0.378 mg P (mg VSS(PAO))(-1). The initial specific phosphorus release and uptake rates were 84.7-167.9 mg P (g VSS(PAO))(-1)h(-1) and 52.8-90.0 mgP (g VSS(total))(-1)h(-1), respectively.     

Anaerobic whey treatment by a stirred sequencing batch reactor (ASBR): effects of organic loading and supplemented alkalinity

An assessment was made of cheese whey treatment in a mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) containing granular biomass. The effect of increasing organic load and decreasing influent alkalinity supplementation (as sodium bicarbonate) was analyzed. The reactor operated on 8-h cycles with influent COD concentrations of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/L, corresponding to volumetric organic loads of 0.6 to 4.8 mgCOD/L.d. Organic COD removal efficiencies were always above 90% for filtered samples. These results were obtained with an optimized alkalinity supplementation of 50% (ratio between mass of NaHCO3 added and mass of influent mgNaHCO3/mgCOD) in the assays with 500 and 1000 mgCOD/L and of 25% in the assays with 2000 and 4000 mgCOD/L. Initial alkalinity supplementation was equal to the mass of influent COD (100%). The system showed formation of viscous polymer-like substances. These were probably of microbiological origin occurring mainly at influent CODs of 2000 and 4000 mg/L and caused some biomass flotation. This could, however be controlled to enable efficient and stable reactor operation.     

Aerobic treatment of palm oil mill effluent

In this study treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) was investigated using aerobic oxidation based on an activated sludge process. The effects of sludge volume index, scum index and mixed liquor suspended solids during the acclimatizing phase and biomass build-up phase were investigated in order to ascertain the reactor stability. The efficiency of the activated sludge process was evaluated by treating anaerobically digested and diluted raw POME obtained from Golden Hope Plantations, Malaysia. The treatment of POME was carried out at a fixed biomass concentration of 3900+/-200mg/L, whereas the corresponding sludge volume index was found to be around 105+/-5mL/g. The initial studies on the efficiency of the activated sludge reactor were carried out using diluted raw POME for varying the hydraulic retention time, viz: 18, 24, 30 and 36h and influent COD concentration, viz: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000mg/L, respectively. The results showed that at the end of 36h of hydraulic retention time for the above said influent COD, the COD removal efficiencies were found to be 83%, 72%, 64%, 54% and 42% whereas at 24h hydraulic retention time they were 57%, 45%, 38%, 30% and 27%, respectively. The effectiveness of aerobic oxidation was also compared between anaerobically digested and diluted raw POME having corresponding CODs of 3908 and 3925mg/L, for varying hydraulic retention time, viz: 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54 and 60h. The dissolved oxygen concentration and pH in the activated sludge reactor were found to be 1.8-2.2mg/L and 7-8.5, respectively. The scum index was found to rise from 0.5% to 1.9% during the acclimatizing phase and biomass build-up phase.