scholarly journals Application of horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactor for bioremediation of acid mine drainage

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Rodriguez ◽  
D. V. Vich ◽  
M. L. Garcia ◽  
M. B. A. Varesche ◽  
M. Zaiat
Keyword(s):  
Sulfate Reduction ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Sulfate Removal ◽  
Effluent Recirculation ◽  
Initial Ph ◽  
Immobilized Biomass

The production of low-pH effluent with sulfate and metals is one of the biggest environmental concerns in the mining industry. The biological process for sulfate reduction has the potential to become a low-cost solution that enables the recovery of interesting compounds. The present study analyzed such a process in a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor, employing ethanol as the carbon and energy source. Results showed that a maximal efficiency in the removal of sulfate and ethanol could only be obtained by reducing the applied sulfate load (225.1 ± 38 g m−3 d−1). This strategy led to over 75% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and sulfate removal. Among the COD/SO42− studied ratios, 0.67 showed the most promising performance. The effluent's pH has naturally remained between 6.8 and 7.0 and the complete oxidation of the organic matter has been observed. Corrections of the influent pH or effluent recirculation did not show any significant effect on the COD and sulfate removal efficiency. Species closely related to strains of Clostridium sp. and species of Acidaminobacter hydrogenomorfans and Fusibacter paucivorans that can be related to the process of sulfate reduction were found in the HAIB reactors when the initial pH was 5 and the COD/SO42− ratio increased to 1.0.

Nitrogen removal in a combined system: vertical vegetated bed over horizontal flow sand bed

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kantawanichkul ◽  
P. Neamkam ◽  
R.B.E. Shutes
Keyword(s):  
Loading Rate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Nitrogen Loading ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Vertical Flow ◽  
Combined System ◽  
Cost Treatment ◽  
Pig Farm ◽  
Farm Wastewater

Pig farm wastewater creates various problems in many areas throughout Thailand. Constructed wetland systems are an appropriate, low cost treatment option for tropical countries such as Thailand. In this study, a combined system (a vertical flow bed planted with Cyperus flabelliformis over a horizontal flow sand bed without plants) was used to treat settled pig farm wastewater . This system is suitable for using in farms where land is limited. The average COD and nitrogen loading rate of the vegetated vertical flow bed were 105 g/m2.d and 11 g/m2.d respectively. The wastewater was fed intermittently at intervals of 4 hours with a hydraulic loading rate of 3.7 cm/d. The recirculation of the effluent increased total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency from 71% to 85%. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) removal efficiencies were 95% and 98%. Nitrification was significant in vertical flow Cyperus bed, and the concentration of nitrate increased by a factor of 140. The horizontal flow sand bed enhanced COD removal and nitrate reduction was 60%. Plant uptake of nitrogen was 1.1 g N/m2.d or dry biomass production was 2.8 kg/m2 over 100 days.

Biofilm adaptation to sulfate reduction in anaerobic immobilized biomass reactors sujected to different COD/sulfate ratios

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.H.R.Z. Damianovic ◽  
I.K. Sakamoto ◽  
E. Foresti
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Sulfate Reduction ◽  
Polyurethane Foam ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Support Materials ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Reduction Efficiency ◽  
Immobilized Biomass ◽  
High Sulfate ◽  
Reducing Bacteria

Various aspects of biofilm adaptation to sulfate reduction in horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactors subjected to increasing sulfate concentrations and different COD/sulfate ratios are presented and discussed. Four bench-scale HAIB reactors filled with vegetal carbon (R1 and R2) and polyurethane foam matrices (R3 and R4) were utilized. Influent sulfate concentrations ranging from 500 to 3000 mg/L were applied at COD/sulfate ratios ranging from 5.0 to 1.7. Reactors R1 and R4 were operated with higher sulfate loads than those applied to R2 and R3. For the same COD/sulfate ratio, the highest sulfate reduction efficiency (∼80%) was displayed by the vegetal carbon reactor (R2) subjected to low sulfate loads. According to the results of our molecular biology analyses, the different support materials provided different biomass colonization conditions. The lowest diversity of sulfate-reducing bacteria was found in the HAIB filled with polyurethane foam matrices operating with high sulfate loads.

Removing organic matter from sulfate-rich wastewater via sulfidogenic and methanogenic pathways

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 1669-1675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rogerio Silveira Vilela ◽  
Márcia Helena Rissato Zamariolli Damianovic ◽  
Eugenio Foresti
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Chemical Oxygen Demand ◽  
Sulfate Reduction ◽  
Competitive Inhibition ◽  
Electron Flow ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Electron Donors ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Organic Matter Removal

The simultaneous organic matter removal and sulfate reduction in synthetic sulfate-rich wastewater was evaluated for various chemical oxygen demand (COD)/sulfate ratios applied in a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized sludge (HAIS) reactor. At higher COD/sulfate ratios (12.5 and 7.5), the removal of organic matter was stable, likely due to methanogenesis. A combination of sulfate reduction and methanogenesis was clearly established at COD/sulfate ratios of 3.0 and 1.9. At a COD/sulfate ratio of 1.0, the organic matter removal was likely influenced by methanogenesis inhibition. The quantity of sulfate removed at a COD/sulfate ratio of 1.0 was identical to that obtained at a ratio of 1.9, indicating a lack of available electron donors for sulfidogenesis. The sulfate reduction and organic matter removal were not maximized at the same COD/sulfate ratio; therefore, competitive inhibition must be the predominant mechanism in establishing an electron flow.

Phenol degradation in horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor under mesophilic conditions

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M.L. Bolaños ◽  
M. B.A. Varesche ◽  
M. Zaiat ◽  
E. Foresti
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Phenol Degradation ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Cod Removal Efficiency ◽  
Immobilized Biomass ◽  
Potential Use

A bench-scale horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor was assayed aiming to verify its potential use for phenol degradation. The HAIB reactor consisted of a bore-silicate tube (100 cm long; 5.04 cm diameter) filled with polyurethane foam matrices containing immobilized anaerobic sludge. Before being subjected to phenol, the reactor was fed with synthetic substrate at the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 1,028 mg.l−1 achieving 98% of COD removal efficiency. Thereafter, phenol as the sole carbon source was added under step-increasing concentrations from 50 to 1,200 mg.l−1. Phenol degradation was evaluated by gas chromatographic analysis of influent and effluent samples. Process monitoring included determinations of pH, volatile acids, alkalinity and COD. The HAIB reactor was operated at a constant hydraulic detention time (HDT) of 12 hours. After 33 days with 50 mg/l of phenol in the influent, the reactor achieved 98% of COD removal efficiency. Successful phenol degradation (efficiency removal of 99%) occurred for influent concentrations of 100, 300, 600, 900 and 1,200 mg.l−1 after 148, 58, 47, 29 and 7 days, respectively. The predominance of Methanosaeta-like, rods and methanogenic cocci could be observed in all the operating conditions, besides the presence of phenol oxidizing microorganisms as irregular rods. The results indicate that phenol degradation at very high rates can be accomplished in HAIB reactors containing acclimatized biomass.

scholarly journals Enriched Co-Treatment of Pharmaceutical and Acidic Metal-Containing Wastewater with Nano Zero-Valent Iron

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Thobeka Pearl Makhathini ◽  
Jean Mulopo ◽  
Babatunde Femi Bakare
Keyword(s):  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Zero Valent Iron ◽  
Silica Sand ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Sulfate Removal ◽  
Total Dissolved Nitrogen ◽  
Nano Zero Valent Iron ◽  
Co Precipitation

Among traditional hazardous waste sources, pharmaceutical-containing wastewater and acidic mine drainage need treatment to preserve the expected water supply quality. A nano zero-valent iron (nZVI)-enriched treatment of these two streams is evaluated for simultaneous removal of various heavy metal ions, organic pollutants, sulfates, the efficiency of the treatment system, and separation of reaction products in the fluidized-bed reactor. The reactor packed with silica sand was inoculated with sludge from an anaerobic digester, then 1–3 g/L of nZVI slurry added to cotreat a hospital feed and acid mine wastewater at 5:2 v/v. The biotreatment process is monitored through an oxidation–reduction potential (Eh) for 90 days. The removal pathway for the nZVI used co-precipitation, sorption, and reduction. The removal load for Zn and Mn was approximately 198 mg Zn/g Fe and 207 mg Mn/g Fe, correspondingly; achieving sulfate (removal efficiency of 94% and organic matter i.e., chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) reduced significantly, but ibuprofen and naproxen achieved 31% and 27% removal, respectively. This enriched cotreatment system exhibited a high reducing condition in the reactor, as confirmed by Eh; hence, the nZVI was dosed only a few times in biotreatment duration, demonstrating a cost-effective system.

A UASB bioreactor using silage as a carbon source to reduce sulfate

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winton Li ◽  
Susan A. Baldwin
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Source ◽  
Sulfate Reduction ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Reduction Rate ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Sulfate Reduction Rate ◽  
Sulfate Removal ◽  
Cost Treatment ◽  
One Year ◽  
Agricultural Byproduct

Low cost-treatment for sulfate removal is required in many areas where potable water is scarce. The biggest challenge in biological treatment is finding an abundant low or no-cost carbon source. This work demonstrated for the first time that leachate from the agricultural byproduct silage can be used in an upflow anaerobic sludge-bed bioreactor to reduce sulfate for on-farm water treatment. The reactor ran continuously for approximately one year with an average silage leachate feed COD concentration of 4,471 ± 857 mg L−1, and sulfate feed concentrations varying from 1,253 to 2,081 mg L−1. The maximum sulfate reduction rate (SRR) of 9.75 ± 0.23 mmol (L day)−1 was achieved at the high sulfate influent concentration and the amount of organics consumed was between 80–90%. Sulfide levels in the UASB bioreactor were consistently high for most of the experiment, averaging 516.6 ± 188.5 mg L−1. Interestingly, during the last month of operation when sulfide concentrations were highest the SRR continued to increase. It was estimated that 36% of the silage leachate carbon was used directly for sulfate reduction.

scholarly journals Synergism Red Mud-Acid Mine Drainage as a Sustainable Solution for Neutralizing and Immobilizing Hazardous Elements

Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 620
Author(s):  
Hugo Lucas ◽  
Srecko Stopic ◽  
Buhle Xakalashe ◽  
Sehliselo Ndlovu ◽  
Bernd Friedrich
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Red Mud ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Environmental Standards ◽  
Hazardous Elements ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
High Alkalinity

Acid mine drainage (AMD) and red mud (RM) are frequently available in the metallurgical and mining industry. Treating AMD solutions require the generation of enough alkalinity to neutralize the acidity excess. RM, recognized as a waste generating high alkalinity solution when it is in contact with water, was chosen to treat AMD from South Africa at room temperature. A German and a Greek RM have been evaluated as a potential low-cost material to neutralize and immobilize harmful chemical ions from AMD. Results showed that heavy metals and other hazardous elements such as As, Se, Cd, and Zn had been immobilized in the mineral phase. According to European environmental standards, S and Cr, mainly present in RM, were the only two elements not immobilized below the concentration established for inert waste.

scholarly journals Performance Evaluation of Waste Materials for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage to Remove Heavy Metals and Sulfate

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Chandra Bhuyan ◽  
Subrat Kumar Bhuyan ◽  
Himanshu Bhushan Sahu
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Iron Oxidation ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Packed Bed ◽  
Cement Kiln ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
The Cost

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is the most severe environmental problem facing the mining sector in the current scenario because of low pH and high pollutants concentration. AMD contains a high amount of sulphate viz. pyrite, FeS2, and to a lesser extent pyrrhotite and heavy metal ions, contaminate both surface water and groundwater. To treat AMD, extensive research projects have been initiated by governments, the mining industry, universities, and research establishments. The environmental impact of AMD can be minimized at these basic levels; prevention should be taken to control the infiltration of groundwater to the pollution site and control the acid-generating process. There are some conventional active methods to treat AMD, such as compost reactor and packed bed iron-oxidation bioreactors; however, these methods have associated with costly material and high maintenance cost, which increases the cost of the entire treatment. In an alternative, the use of low-cost materials such as fly ash, metallurgical slag, zero-valent iron (ZVI), cement kiln dust (CKD), and organic waste such as peat humic agent (PHA), rice husk, and eggshell can be a valuable measure for economic viability to treat the metal-rich wastewater.

scholarly journals Biological sulfate removal with low-cost carbon sources using cold-acclimated bacteria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Virpiranta ◽  
Sanna Taskila ◽  
Tiina Leiviskä ◽  
Jouko Vepsäläinen ◽  
Jaakko Rämö ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Carbon Source ◽  
Sulfate Reduction ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Reduction Process ◽  
Sulfate Removal ◽  
Cold Tolerant ◽  
Sulfate Reduction Process ◽  
Biological Sulfate Reduction

Abstract The main goal of this study was to develop a cost-efficient biological method for the removal of sulfate from mining effluents in cold conditions. A consortium of cold-tolerant sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was tested at 6 °C regarding the utilization of economically viable, low-cost carbon sources, i.e., whey, conditioned sewage sludge, and peat, in the removal of sulfate from synthetic mining water. Succinate was used as a reference carbon source. Of all the studied low-cost carbon sources, conditioned sewage sludge proved to be the most efficient. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed that sewage sludge contained propionic acid, which proved to be utilizable by SRB under cold conditions. Peat both adsorbed the sulfate and acted as a nutrient source in the sulfate reduction process. When whey was used as a carbon source, only a slight decrease in sulfate concentration was detected. Succinate was found to work in a truly predictable and efficient way as a carbon source in biological sulfate reduction, even at the lowest concentration tested. The use of conditioned sewage sludge increased the bacterial diversity in liquid cultivations significantly. However, the number of SRB was highest in the succinate cultivations.

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