Sequencing Batch Reactor (sequencing + batch_reactor)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Biological Treatment of Sludge from a Recirculating Aquaculture System Using a Sequencing Batch Reactor

JOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 4 2005
Ramaraj Boopathy
[source]


Aerobic granules for low-strength wastewater treatment: formation, structure, and microbial community

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2009
Shu-Guang Wang
Abstract BACKGROUND: To validate the possibility of aerobic granulation at a lower organic loading rate (OLR) than 2 kg COD m,3 day,1 (GS 1) in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR), the formation, structure, and microbial community of granular sludge (GS) were investigated. RESULTS: The overall experimental process involved the following stages: acclimation, granulation, maturation, and stabilization. The optical microscopic showed the structural changes from fluffy activated sludge (AS) to GS and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination revealed that GS 1 was irregular filamentous aggregates composed mainly of various filamentous species, while the aerobic granules cultivated at OLR 1.68,4.20 kg COD m,3 day,1 (GS 2) was mycelial pellets consisting of fungi and filamentous microorganisms. A Biolog Ecoplate analysis indicated that significant differences existed between the microbial community structure and the substrate's utilization of AS and different GS samples. CONCLUSION: GS 1 was achieved and different from GS 2 in the formation, structure, and microbial community. Aerobic granulation with low strength wastewater is of importance for the full-scale application of this technology. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Study of saline wastewater influence on activated sludge flocs through automated image analysis

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Daniela P Mesquita
Abstract BACKGROUND: In activated sludge systems, sludge settling ability is considered a critical step in effluent quality and determinant of solid,liquid separation processes. However, few studies have reported the influence of saline wastewater on activated sludge. This work aims the evaluation of settling ability properties of microbial aggregates in a sequencing batch reactor treating saline wastewaters of up to 60 g L,1 NaCl, by image analysis procedures. RESULTS: It was found that the sludge volume index (SVI) decreased with salt content up to 20 g L,1, remaining somewhat stable above this value. Furthermore, it was found that between the first salt concentration (5 g L,1) and 20 g L,1 aggregates suffered a strong deflocculation phenomenon, leading to a heavy loss of aggregated biomass. Regarding SVI prediction ability, a good correlation coefficient of 0.991 between observed and predicted SVI values was attained. CONCLUSION: From this work the deflocculation of aggregated biomass with salt addition due to pinpoint floc formation, dispersed bacteria growth and protozoa absence could be established. With respect to SVI estimation, and despite the good correlation obtained, caution is advisable given the low number of SVI data points. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Influence of COD:N:P ratio on dark greywater treatment using a sequencing batch reactor

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
Vijayaraghavan Krishnan
Abstract The recycling of greywater is an integral part of a water management system owing to the scarcity of fresh water resources. This article explores the effectiveness of an aerobic sequencing batch reactor in treating nutrient-deficit and nutrient-spiked dark greywater for agricultural reuse. The dark greywater in the present investigation had a COD:N:P ratio of 100:1.82:0.76, while the preferred ratio for biological oxidation is 100:5:1 (COD, chemical oxygen demand). The aerobic oxidation of nutrient-deficit and nutrient-spiked dark greywater with a COD:N:P ratio of 100:2.5:0.5; 100:3.5:0.75 and 100:5:1 resulted in outlet COD values of 64; 35; 15 and 12 mg L,1, with a corresponding BOD5 value of 37; 22; 10 and 8 mg L,1 at 36 h hydraulic retention time (HRT). Hence treatment of nutrient-added dark greywater at a COD:N:P ratio 100:3.5:0.75 and 100:5:1 for 36 h HRT complied with the Malaysian discharge standards for agricultural activities. Treated greywater has the potential for consideration as a resource, since it can be used as a supplement or replacement for potable water in landscape irrigation and other agricultural activities in rural and urban areas. Moreover, the level of greywater treatment is dictated by the final water quality requirement. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Storage of biodegradable polymers by an enriched microbial community in a sequencing batch reactor operated at high organic load rate

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2005
Davide Dionisi
Abstract The production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from organic acids by mixed bacterial cultures using a process based on aerobic enrichment of activated sludge, that selects for mixed microbial cultures able to store PHAs at high rates and yields, is described. Enrichment resulted from the selective pressure established by periodic feeding the carbon source in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR); a mixture of acetic, lactic and propionic acids was fed at high frequency (2 hourly), high dilution rate (1 d,1), and at high organic load rate (12.75 g chemical oxygen demand (COD) L,1 d,1). The performance of the SBR was assessed by microbial biomass and PHA production as well as the composition and polymer content of the biomass. A final batch stage was used to increase the polymer concentration of the excess sludge produced in the SBR and in which the behaviour of the biomass was investigated by determining PHA production rates and yields. The microbial biomass selected in the SBR produced PHAs at high rate [278 mg PHAs (as COD) g biomass (as COD),1 h,1, with a yield of 0.39 mg PHAs (as COD) mg removed substrates (as COD),1], reaching a polymer content higher than 50% (on a COD basis). The stored polymer was the copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(HB/HV)], with an HV fraction of 18% mol mol,1. The microbial community selected in the SBR was analysed by DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). The operating conditions of the SBR were shown to select for a restricted microbial population which appeared quite different in terms of composition with respect to the initial microbial cenosis in the activated sludge used as inoculum. On the basis of the sequencing of the major bands in the DGGE profiles, four main genera were identified: a Methylobacteriaceae bacterium, Flavobacterium sp, Candidatus Meganema perideroedes, and Thauera sp. The effects of nitrogen depletion (ie absence of growth) and pH variation were also investigated in the batch stage and compared with the SBR operative mode. Absence of growth did not stimulate higher PHA production, so indicating that the periodic feed regime fully exploited the storage potential of the enriched culture. Polymer production rates remained high between pH 6.5 and 9.5, whereas the HV content in the stored polymer strongly increased as the pH value increased. This study shows that polymer composition in the final batch stage can readily be controlled independently from the feed composition in the SBR. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal in an SBR controlled at low dissolved oxygen concentration

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
Peng Dangcong
Abstract Simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal was studied in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with synthetic municipal wastewater and controlled at a low dissolved oxygen (DO) level (0.8,mg,dm,3). Experimental results over a long time (120 days) showed that the reactor achieved high treatment capacities (organic and nitrogen loading rates reached as high as 2.4,kg COD m,3 d,1 and 0.24,kg NH3 -N m3 d,1) and efficiencies (COD, NH3 -N and total nitrogen removal efficiencies were 95%, 99% and 75%). No filamentous bacteria were found in the sludge even though the reactor had been seeded with filamentous bulking sludge. Instead, granular sludge, which possessed high activity and good settleability, was formed. Furthermore, the sludge production rate under low DO was less than that under high DO. Significant benefits, such as low investment and less operating cost, will be obtained from the new process. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Modeling and simulation of the formation and utilization of microbial products in aerobic granular sludge

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
Bing-Jie Ni
Abstract A mathematical model is established to simulate the formation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), soluble microbial products (SMP), and internal storage products (XSTO) in aerobic granular sludge. The sensitivity of these microbial products concentrations toward the key model parameters is analyzed. Independent experiments are conducted to find required parameter values and to test its predictive ability. The model is evaluated by using one-cycle operating experimental results of a lab-scale aerobic granule-based sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and batch experimental results. Results show that the model is able to describe the microbial product dynamics in aerobic granules and provide further insights into a granule-based SBR. The effect of the initial substrate and biomass concentrations on the formation of microbial products in aerobic granular sludge can therefore be analyzed by model simulation. A higher substrate concentration results in a greater concentration of EPS, SMP, and XSTO. An accumulation of biomass in the bioreactor leads to an increased production rate of EPS, SMP, and XSTO. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source]


A thermodynamic analysis of the activated sludge process: Application to soybean wastewater treatment in a sequencing batch reactor

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 10 2009
Bing-jie Ni
Abstract A bioenergetic methodology was integrated with a modified activated sludge model No.1 (ASM1) to analyze the activated sludge process, with the treatment of soybean-processing wastewater as an example. With the bioenergetic methodology established by McCarty and coworkers, the microbial yield was predicted and the overall stoichiometrics for biological reactions involving the key chemical and biological species in activated sludge were established. These obtained parameters were related to the ASM1 model, which was modified after coupling the biological reactions in activated sludge with electron balances. This approach was able to approximately describe the treatment of soybean wastewater by activated sludge in a sequencing batch reactor in terms of substrate utilization, biomass growth, and the elector acceptor consumption. Such an attempt provides useful information for accurate modeling of the complex activated sludge process. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source]


Modeling and simulation of the sequencing batch reactor at a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 8 2009
Bing-Jie Ni
Abstract In this work, we attempted to modify the Activated Sludge Model No.3 and to simulate the performance of a full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) plant for municipal wastewater treatment. The long-term dynamic data from the continuous operation of this SBR plant were simulated. The influent wastewater composition was characterized using batch measurements. After incorporating all the relevant processes, the sensitivity of the stoichiometric and kinetic coefficients for the model was thoroughly analyzed prior to the model calibration. The modified model was calibrated and validated with the data from both batch- and full-scale experiments. Model predictions were compared with routine data in terms of chemical oxygen demand, NH4+ -N and mixed liquid volatile suspended solids in the SBR, combined with batch experimental data under different conditions. The model predictions match the experimental results well, demonstrating that the model is appropriate to simulate the performance of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant even operated under perturbation conditions. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source]


Modélisation de la cinétique de biodégradation de phénol par granules aérobies

THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2008
Claudia Calvario-Rivera
Abstract Ce travail est consacré à la modélisation de la cinétique de biodégradation de phénol par granules aérobies. Ceux-ci ont été obtenus à partir de la culture à alimentation séquentielle d'un surnageant de boues activées sur une eau usée synthétique,; puis ils ont été acclimatés au phénol (100 mg/L). La biodégradation de différentes concentrations de phénol (40,1112 mg/L) a été étudiée en fioles agitées ensemencées avec des granules acclimatés. Un modèle de type Haldane a été sélectionné, qui permet de décrire de manière adéquate l'évolution de la concentration de phénol avec un seul jeu de paramètres. Ce modèle pourrait permettre de mieux comprendre la biodégradation de molécules toxiques telles que le phénol dans des réacteurs granulaires aérobies. This work describes a model of the biodegradation of phenol carried out by aerobic granules. These granules were obtained by culturing an activated sludge supernatant in a sequencing batch reactor fed with a synthetic waste water and subsequently, by acclimation to phenol (100 mg/L). The kinetics of phenol biodegradation by the aerobic granules was investigated over a wide range of initial phenol concentrations (40,1112 mg/L) in shake-flask cultures. A Haldane-type model was adjusted to the experimental results, which depicts successfully the phenol biodegradation profiles in the entire range of initial concentrations studied by using only one set of parameters. It is our view that the proposed model could contribute to the knowledge about the ability of aerobic granular systems to biodegrade toxic, inhibitory compounds such as phenol. [source]


Respirometric evaluation and modeling of glucose utilization by Escherichia coli under aerobic and mesophilic cultivation conditions

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2007
G. Insel
Abstract The study presents a mechanistic model for the evaluation of glucose utilization by Escherichia coli under aerobic and mesophilic growth conditions. In the first step, the experimental data was derived from batch respirometric experiments conducted at 37°C, using two different initial substrate to microorganism (S0/X0) ratios of 15.0 and 1.3 mgCOD/mgSS. Acetate generation, glycogen formation and oxygen uptake rate profile were monitored together with glucose uptake and biomass increase throughout the experiments. The oxygen uptake rate (OUR) exhibited a typical profile accounting for growth on glucose, acetate and glycogen. No acetate formation (overflow) was detected at low initial S0/X0 ratio. In the second step, the effect of culture history developed under long-term growth limiting conditions on the kinetics of glucose utilization by the same culture was evaluated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The system was operated at cyclic steady state with a constant mean cell residence time of 5 days. The kinetic response of E.coli culture was followed by similar measurements within a complete cycle. Model calibration for the SBR system showed that E. coli culture regulated its growth metabolism by decreasing the maximum growth rate (lower ) together with an increase of substrate affinity (lower KS) as compared to uncontrolled growth conditions. The continuous low rate operation of SBR system induced a significant biochemical substrate storage capability as glycogen in parallel to growth, which persisted throughout the operation. The acetate overflow was observed again as an important mechanism to be accounted for in the evaluation of process kinetics. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96: 94,105. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Modeling the partial nitrification in sequencing batch reactor for biomass adapted to high ammonia concentrations

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2006
V. Pambrun
Abstract Partial nitrification has proven to be an economic way for treatment of industrial N-rich effluent, reducing oxygen and external COD requirements during nitrification/denitrification process. One of the key issues of this system is the intermediate nitrite accumulation stability. This work presents a control strategy and a modeling tool for maintaining nitrite build-up. Partial nitrification process has been carried out in a sequencing batch reactor at 30°C, maintaining strong changing ammonia concentration in the reactor (sequencing feed). Stable nitrite accumulation has been obtained with the help of an on-line oxygen uptake rate (OUR)-based control system, with removal rate of 2 kg NH -N,·,m,3/day and 90%,95% of conversion of ammonium into nitrite. A mathematical model, identified through the occurring biological reactions, is proposed to optimize the process (preventing nitrate production). Most of the kinetic parameters have been estimated from specific respirometric tests on biomass and validated on pilot-scale experiments of one-cycle duration. Comparison of dynamic data at different pH confirms that NH3 and NO should be considered as the true substrate of nitritation and nitratation, respectively. The proposed model represents major features: the inhibition of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria by its substrate (NH3) and product (HNO2), the inhibition of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by free ammonia (NH3), the INFluence of pH. It appears that the model correctly describes the short-term dynamics of nitrogenous compounds in SBR, when both ammonia oxidizers and nitrite oxidizers are present and active in the reactor. The model proposed represents a useful tool for process design and optimization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Effect of the applied organic load rate on biodegradable polymer production by mixed microbial cultures in a sequencing batch reactor

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2006
Davide Dionisi
Abstract This article studies the operation of a new process for the production of biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHAs) at different applied organic load rates (OLRs). The process is based on the aerobic enrichment of activated sludge to obtain mixed cultures able to store PHAs at high rates and yields. A mixture of acetic, lactic, and propionic acids at different concentrations (in the range 8.5,31.25 gCOD/L) was fed every 2 h in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The resulting applied OLR was in the range 8.5,31.25 gCOD/L/day. Even though, as expected, the increase in the OLR caused an increase in biomass concentration (up to about 8.7 g COD/L), it also caused a relevant decrease of maximal polymer production rate. This decrease in polymer production rate was related to the different extent of "feast and famine" conditions, as function of the applied OLR and of the start-up conditions. As a consequence the best performance of the process was obtained at an intermediate OLR (20 gCOD/L/day) where both biomass productivity and PHA storage were high enough. However, at this high OLR the process was unstable and sudden decrease of performance was also observed. The sludge characterized by the highest PHA storage response was investigated by 16S rDNA clone library. The clone library contained sequences mostly from PHA producers (e.g., Alcaligenes and Comamonas genera); however many genera and among them, one of the dominant (Thauera), were never described before in relation to PHA storage response. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Which are the polyphosphate accumulating organisms in full-scale activated sludge enhanced biological phosphate removal systems in Australia?

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006
M. Beer
Abstract Aims:, To see if the compositions of the microbial communities in full scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal activated sludge systems were the same as those from laboratory scale sequencing batch reactors fed a synthetic sewage. Methods:, Biomass samples taken from nine full scale enhanced biological phosphate removal (EBPR) activated sludge plants in the eastern states of Australia were analysed for their populations of polyphosphate (polyP)-accumulating organisms (PAO) using semi-quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in combination with DAPI (4,-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining for polyP. Results:, Very few betaproteobacterial Rhodocyclus related organisms could be detected by FISH in most of the plants examined, and even where present, not all these cells even within a single cluster, stained positively for polyP with DAPI. In some plants in samples from aerobic reactors the Actinobacteria dominated populations containing polyP. Conclusions:, The PAO populations in full-scale EBPR systems often differ to those seen in laboratory scale reactors fed artificial sewage, and Rhodocyclus related organisms, dominating these latter communities may not be as important in full-scale systems. Instead Actinobacteria may be the major PAO. Significance and Impact of the Study:, These findings illustrate how little is still known about the microbial ecology of EBPR processes and that more emphasis should now be placed on analysis of full-scale plants if microbiological methods are to be applied to monitoring their performances. [source]


Identification and comparison of aerobic and denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2003
Raymond J. Zeng
Abstract Two laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in alternating anaerobic,aerobic or alternating anaerobic,anoxic modes, respectively. Polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) were enriched in the anaerobic,aerobic SBR and denitrifying PAOs (DPAOs) were enriched in the anaerobic,aerobic SBR. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated that the well-known PAO, "Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis" was abundant in both SBRs, and post-FISH chemical staining with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindol (DAPI) confirmed that they accumulated polyphosphate. When the anaerobic,anoxic SBR enriched for DPAOs was converted to anaerobic,aerobic operation, aerobic uptake of phosphorus by the resident microbial community occurred immediately. However, when the anaerobic,aerobic SBR enriched for PAOs was exposed to one cycle with anoxic rather than aerobic conditions, a 5-h lag period elapsed before phosphorus uptake proceeded. This anoxic phosphorus-uptake lag phase was not observed in the subsequent anaerobic,aerobic cycle. These results demonstrate that the PAOs that dominated the anaerobic,aerobic SBR biomass were the same organisms as the DPAOs enriched under anaerobic,anoxic conditions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 83: 140,148, 2003. [source]