scholarly journals Performance and bacterial diversity of bioreactors used for simultaneous removal of sulfide, solids and organic matter from UASB reactor effluents

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 1312-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. S. Azevedo ◽  
I. M. P. Castro ◽  
C. D. Leal ◽  
J. C. Araújo ◽  
C. A. L. Chernicharo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Elemental Sulfur ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Packing Material ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Sulfur Bacteria

Abstract Two bioreactors were investigated as an alternative to post-treatment of effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating domestic sewage, with an aim of oxidizing sulfide into elemental sulfur, and removal of solid and organic material. The bioreactors were operated at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (6, 4, and 2 h) and in the presence or absence (control) of packing material (polypropylene rings). Greater sulfide removal efficiencies – 75% (control reactor) and 92% (packed reactor) – were achieved in both reactors for an HRT of 6 h. Higher organic matter (COD) and solid (TSS) removal levels were observed in the packed reactor, which produced effluent with low COD (100 mg CODL−1) and TSS concentrations (30 mg TSSL−1). Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis results revealed that a metabolically diverse bacterial community was present in both bioreactors, with sequences related to heterotrophic bacteria, sulfur bacteria (Thiocapsa, Sulfurimonas sp., Chlorobaculum sp., Chromatiales and Sulfuricellales), phototrophic purple non-sulfur bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodocyclus sp.) and cyanobacteria. The packed reactor presented higher extracellular sulfur formation and potential for elemental sulfur recovery was seen. Higher efficiencies related to the packed reactor were attributed to the presence of packing material and higher cell retention time. The studied bioreactors seemed to be a simple and low-cost alternative for the post-treatment of anaerobic effluent.

scholarly journals Organic Matter Removal in a Simultaneous Nitrification-Denitrification Process Using Fixed-Film System.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perla Gonzalez ◽  
Ana Aguilar Ruiz ◽  
Andrea Reynosa Varela ◽  
Ulises Durán Hinojosa ◽  
Marco Garzón Zuñiga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Compound ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Swine Wastewater ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Organic Matter Removal ◽  
Fixed Film ◽  
Suspended Biomass ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

Abstract This study focused on evaluating different support media for COD and nitrogen compound removal from an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor fed with swine wastewater. Maximum specific nitrification (MSNA) and denitrification (MSDA) activity tests were performed in two fixed-film systems with (1) polyurethane foam (R1) and (2) polyethylene rings (R2). The results showed that the R2 system performed more efficiently than R1, reaching organic matter removal of 77 ± 8% and nitrogen of 98 ± 4%, attributed to higher specific denitrifying activity recorded (5.3 ± 0.34 g NO3--N/g VTS ∙h). In this sense, MSDA tests indicated that the suspended biomass was responsible for at least 70% of nitrogen removal in the form of ammonium compared with 20% attributed to biomass in the form of biofilm. On the other hand, 40 ± 5% of initial nitrogen could not be quantified in the system effluents, but 10 ± 1% was attributed to loss by volatilization. According to the analyses, the previous information infers the development of simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) routes. Respect to the analyses of microbial diversity and abundance in the biofilm of R2 rings, the presence of the genus Pseudomonas dominated the prokaryotic community of the system in 54.4%.

Open trickling filter: an innovative, cheap and simple form of post-treatment of sanitary effluents from anaerobic reactors in small communities

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Vieira ◽  
M. von Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Loading Rate ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Trickling Filter ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Capital Costs

We aimed to evaluate the performance and cost savings of an innovative design of a trickling filter (TF) for small population sizes, developed at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil referred to as an open trickling filter (OTF). The OTF had no side walls and no perforated bottom slab, and was applied for the post-treatment of sanitary sewage from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. The OTF had crushed-stone packing (3.5 m high) and was operated with an average surface hydraulic loading rate of 4.1 m3 m−2 d−1 and an average volumetric organic loading rate of 0.10 kg BOD m−3 d−1 (biochemical oxygen demand). The average concentrations obtained at the OTF effluent were 48 mg TSS L−1 (total suspended solids), 132 mg COD L−1 (chemical oxygen demand), 51 mg BOD L−1, 19 mg TKN L−1 (total Kjeldahl nitrogen), 16 mg NH4+-N L−1 and 10 mg NO3−-N L−1, complying with local discharge standards. Analysis of the construction costs indicated savings of 74% compared to conventional TF. Based on the performance, compactness, simplicity and reduced capital costs, it is believed that the proposed OTF is a good alternative for small communities, especially in developing countries.

Impact of microaeration bioreactor on dissolved sulfide and methane removal from real UASB effluent for sewage treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 1951-1960 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Cabral ◽  
A. L. Sanson ◽  
R. J. C. F. Afonso ◽  
C. A. L. Chernicharo ◽  
J. C. Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Sulfide Removal ◽  
Dissolved Sulfide ◽  
Removal Efficiencies ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

Abstract Two bioreactors were investigated as an alternative for the post-treatment of effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating domestic sewage, aiming at dissolved sulfide and methane removal. The bioreactors (R-control and R-air) were operated at different hydraulic retention times (HRT; 6 and 3 h) with or without aeration. Large sulfide and methane removal efficiencies were achieved by the microaerated reactor at HRT of 6 h. At this HRT, sulfide removal efficiencies were equal to 61% and 79%, and methane removal efficiencies were 31% and 55% for R-control and R-air, respectively. At an HRT of 3 h, sulfide removal efficiencies were 22% (R-control) and 33% (R-air) and methane removal did not occur. The complete oxidation of sulfide, with sulfate formation, prevailed in both phases and bioreactors. However, elemental sulfur formation was more predominant at an HRT of 6 h than at an HRT of 3 h. Taken together, the results show that post-treatment improved the anaerobic effluent quality in terms of chemical oxygen demand and solids removal. However, ammoniacal nitrogen was not removed due to either the low concentration of air provided or the absence of microorganisms involved in the nitrogen cycle.

Alkaline and acid hydrolytic processes in aerobic and anaerobic sludges: effect on total EPS and fractions

2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 51-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.T. Cassini ◽  
M.C.E. Andrade ◽  
T.A. Abreu ◽  
R. Keller ◽  
R.F. Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Acid Hydrolysis ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Alkaline Treatment ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Sample Height ◽  
Main Component

Sludge samples from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and four submerged aerated biofilters (BFs) of a wastewater treatment plant (1,000 inhab.) were processed at bench scale by alkaline and acid hydrolysis with the objective to evaluate the organic matter solubilization, volatile solids (VS) destruction and the effect of hydrolytic processes on the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) fraction of the sludge samples. The results showed that alkaline hydrolysis of sludge samples treatment with 1.0% total solids (TS) using NaOH 20 meq L−1 was more efficient on organic matter solubilization and VS destruction than acid hydrolysis. The EPS sludge content was also affected by the alkaline treatment of anaerobic sludge samples. The EPS concentrations (mg EPS/gVSS) on the anaerobic sludge after the alkaline treatment were significantly lowered according to sample height in the UASB reactor. Data indicated that the EPS sludge fraction is the main component affected by the alkaline hydrolytic process of anaerobic sludge samples.

Performance and behaviour of planted and unplanted units of a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland system treating municipal effluent from a UASB reactor

2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1495-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocilene Ferreira da Costa ◽  
André Cordeiro de Paoli ◽  
Martin Seidl ◽  
Marcos von Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Subsurface Flow ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Filter Medium ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Horizontal Subsurface Flow

A system composed of two horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands operating in parallel was evaluated for the post-treatment of UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactor effluent, for a population equivalent of 50 inhabitants per unit. One unit was planted with cattail (Typha latifolia) and the other was unplanted. The study was undertaken over a period of 4 years, comprising monitoring of influent and effluent constituents together with a full characterization of the behaviour of the units (tracer studies, mathematical modelling of chemical oxygen demand (COD) decay, characterization of solids in the filter medium). The mean value of the surface hydraulic load was 0.11 m3m−2d−1, and the theoretical hydraulic retention time was 1.1 d in each unit. Using tracer tests with 82Br, dispersion number (d) values of 0.084 and 0.079 for the planted and unplanted units were obtained, indicating low to moderate dispersion. The final effluent had excellent quality in terms of organic matter and suspended solids, but the system showed low capacity for nitrogen removal. Four-year mean effluent concentration values from the planted and unplanted units were, respectively: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5): 25 and 23 mg L−1; COD: 50 and 55 mg L−1; total suspended solids (TSS): 9 and 9 mg L−1; N-ammonia: 27 and 28 mg L−1. The COD decay coefficient K for the traditional plug-flow model was 0.81 and 0.84 d−1 for the planted and unplanted units. Around 80% of the total solids present in the filter medium were inorganic, and most of them were present in the interstices rather than attached to the support medium. As an overall conclusion, horizontal subsurface flow wetlands can be a very suitable post-treatment method for municipal effluents from anaerobic reactors.

Performance evaluation of planted and unplanted subsurface-flow constructed wetlands for the post-treatment of UASB reactor effluents

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 3025-3033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipe Lima Dornelas ◽  
Matheus Boechat Machado ◽  
Marcos von Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Subsurface Flow ◽  
Typha Latifolia ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Horizontal Subsurface Flow ◽  
Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Belo Horizonte

A system comprised by a UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) reactor followed by two horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands in parallel was evaluated for the treatment of the wastewater generated in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil (50 inhabitants each unit). One unit was planted (Typha latifolia) and the other was unplanted. Influent and effluent samples were collected for a period of seven months. The systems were able to produce final effluents with low concentrations of organic matter and suspended solids, but showed not to be efficient in the removal of nutrients. Mean effluent concentrations for the planted and unplanted units were, respectively: BOD: 15 and 19 mg/L; COD: 42 and 64 mg/L; TSS: 3 and 5 mg/L; TN: 27 and 33 mg/L; N-NH3: 25 and 29 mg/L; P Total: 1.2 and 1.5 mg/L. The planted wetland presented effluent concentrations and removal efficiencies significantly (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, 5% significance level) better than the unplanted unit for most constituents. The study shows that horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands can be effectively used as a post-treatment option for the effluent from UASB reactors.

Performance of plastic- and sponge-based trickling filters treating effluents from an UASB reactor

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1034-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. S. Almeida ◽  
A. K. Marcus ◽  
B. E. Rittmann ◽  
C. A. L. Chernicharo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Total N ◽  
Trickling Filters ◽  
N Removal ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

The paper compares the performance of two trickling filters (TFs) filled with plastic- or sponge-based packing media treating the effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. The UASB reactor was operated with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 1.2 kgCOD m−3 d−1, and the OLR applied to the TFs was 0.30–0.65 kgCOD m−3 d−1 (COD: chemical oxygen demand). The sponge-based packing medium (Rotosponge) gave substantially better performance for ammonia, total-N, and organic matter removal. The superior TF-Rotosponge performance for NH4+-N removal (80–95%) can be attributed to its longer biomass and hydraulic retention times (SRT and HRT), as well as enhancements in oxygen mass transfer by dispersion and advection inside the sponges. Nitrogen removals were significant (15 mgN L−1) in TF-Rotosponge when the OLRs were close to 0.75 kgCOD m−3 d−1, due to denitrification that was related to solids hydrolysis in the sponge interstices. For biochemical oxygen demand removal, higher HRT and SRT were especially important because the UASB removed most of the readily biodegradable organic matter. The new configuration of the sponge-based packing medium called Rotosponge can enhance the feasibility of scaling-up the UASB/TF treatment, including when retrofitting is necessary.

Domestic sewage treatment in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket - sequencing batch reactor system

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. de Sousa ◽  
E. Foresti
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Batch Reactor ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Domestic Sewage ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Excess Sludge ◽  
Aerobic System ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

Domestic sewage treatment in up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors has presented significant results in tropical regions. This reactor configuration has proven to be efficient in removing organic matter and total suspended solids as well as in producing smaller amounts of excess sludge than conventional aerobic reactor. On the other hand, its effluent often requires to be post-treated in order to achieve the emission standards. This paper is concerned with the alternative proposed here for treating domestic sewage in a combined anaerobic-aerobic system composed of an UASB reactor followed by sequencing batch aerobic reactors (SBR). In such a system, the UASB reactor removes considerable fraction of the influent organic matter, while the SBRs oxidize part of the remaining organic matter and ammonium nitrogen. A proper system operation would also permit the removal of nutrients (N and P). In order to investigate on the performance of this system for sewage treatment, a bench scale installation fed with synthetic substrate simulating domestic sewage was operated continuously during 38 weeks. The results permit to confirm the hypothesis proposed, since the system has consistently produced high quality effluents (BOD5 and VSS lower than 10 mg.L-1). The results also indicate that such combined anaerobic-aerobic system compete favorably with conventional aerobic systems in three essential cost features: energy consumption, excess sludge production and nutrient removal.

Optimal process pattern for simultaneous sulfur, nitrogen and carbon removal

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 833-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuan Chen ◽  
Aijie Wang ◽  
Nanqi Ren ◽  
Xuliang Deng ◽  
Duu-Jong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Elemental Sulfur ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Granular Sludge ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Process Pattern ◽  
High Removal Rate ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

Denitrifying sulfide removal (DSR) process incorporates interactions between autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifiers and reveals difficulty to achieve high removal rate of nitrogen and sulfur in practice. We compared the DSR performance of an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor and an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, both fed with wastewaters comprising sulfide, nitrate and acetate. The EGSB reactor can sustain at higher loading rates than UASB reactor, probably owing to the less elemental sulfur production rate for the latter in operation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document