Activated sludge as a possible source of biodegradable plastic

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Satoh ◽  
Y. Iwamoto ◽  
T. Mino ◽  
T. Matsuo
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Laboratory Scale ◽  
Biodegradable Plastic ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
Aerobic Process ◽  
Aerobic Processes ◽  
Anaerobic Zone

Polyhydroxyalkanaote (PHA) is known to be temporarily stored by microorganisms in activated sludge especially in the anaerobic-aerobic processes. When PHA is extracted from activated sludge, it is a thermoplastic with the remarkable characteristics of biodegradability. We investigated the possibility of using activated sludge for the production of PHA, focusing on increasing the PHA content of activated sludge. Activated sludge from laboratory scale anaerobic-aerobic reactors accumulated PHA of around 20% under anaerobic conditions and up to 33% under aerobic conditions. In order to further increase the PHA content of activated sludge, we introduced the “microaerophilic-aerobic” process, where a limited amount of oxygen is supplied into the anaerobic zone of the anaerobic-aerobic process. Activated sludge acclimatized in the microaerophilic-aerobic process accumulated PHA of as much as 62% of sludge dry weight. The “microaerophilic-aerobic” process was demonstrated to be an effective process for the enrichment of PHA-accumulating microorganisms.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates by glycogen accumulating organisms treating a paper mill wastewater

2008 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Bengtsson ◽  
Alan Werker ◽  
Thomas Welander
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Batch Experiments ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
Pha Production ◽  
Paper Mill Wastewater ◽  
Enrichment Strategy

A process for production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by activated sludge treating a paper mill wastewater was investigated. The applied strategy was to select for glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) by alternating anaerobic/aerobic conditions. Acidogenic fermentation was used as pretreatment to convert various organic compounds to volatile fatty acids which are preferable substrates for PHA production. Enrichment resulted in a culture dominated by GAOs related to Defluviicoccus vanus (56%) and Candidatus Competibacter phosphatis (22%). Optimization of PHA accumulation by the enriched GAO culture was performed through batch experiments. Accumulation of PHA under anaerobic conditions was limited by the intracellular glycogen stored. Under aerobic conditions significant glycogen production (to 25% of sludge dry weight) was observed alongside PHA accumulation (to 22% of sludge dry weight). By applying a subsequent anaerobic period after an initial aerobic, the produced glycogen could be utilized for further PHA accumulation and by this strategy PHA content was increased to 42% of sludge dry weight. The PHA yield over the entire process was 0.10 kg per kg of influent COD treated which is similar to what has been achieved with a process applying feast/famine enrichment strategy with the same wastewater.

scholarly journals Intracellular Accumulation of Glycine in Polyphosphate-Accumulating Organisms in Activated Sludge, a Novel Storage Mechanism under Dynamic Anaerobic-Aerobic Conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (14) ◽  
pp. 4809-4818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hien Thi Thu Nguyen ◽  
Rikke Kristiansen ◽  
Mette Vestergaard ◽  
Reinhard Wimmer ◽  
Per Halkjær Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Intracellular Accumulation ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Fermentation Products ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms

ABSTRACTDynamic anaerobic-aerobic feast-famine conditions are applied to wastewater treatment plants to select polyphosphate-accumulating organisms to carry out enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Acetate is a well-known substrate to stimulate this process, and here we show that different amino acids also are suitable substrates, with glycine as the most promising.13C-labeled glycine and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were applied to investigate uptake and potential storage products when activated sludge was fed with glycine under anaerobic conditions. Glycine was consumed by the biomass, and the majority was stored intracellularly as free glycine and fermentation products. Subsequently, in the aerobic phase without addition of external substrate, the stored glycine was consumed. The uptake of glycine and oxidation of intracellular metabolites took place along with a release and uptake of orthophosphate, respectively. Fluorescencein situhybridization combined with microautoradiography using3H-labeled glycine revealed uncultured actinobacterialTetrasphaeraas a dominant glycine consumer. Experiments withTetrasphaera elongataas representative of unculturedTetrasphaerashowed that under anaerobic conditions it was able to take up labeled glycine and accumulate this and other labeled metabolites to an intracellular concentration of approximately 4 mM. All components were consumed under subsequent aerobic conditions. Intracellular accumulation of amino acids seems to be a novel storage strategy for polyphosphate-accumulating bacteria under dynamic anaerobic-aerobic feast-famine conditions.

Microthrix parvicella, a specialized lipid consumer in anaerobic–aerobic activated sludge plants

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 73-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.H. Nielsen ◽  
P. Roslev ◽  
T.E. Dueholm ◽  
J.L. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Neutral Lipids ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Membrane Phospholipids ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
Microthrix Parvicella ◽  
Chain Fatty Acids

The in situ physiology of the filamentous bacterium Microthrix parvicella was investigated in anaerobic-aerobic dynamic phases in activated sludge with focus on the uptake of long chain fatty acids (LCFA) and growth. When 14C-labeled oleic acid was added to activated sludge with an excessive growth of M. parvicella, only little 14C-CO2 was produced under anaerobic conditions while a lot was produced under aerobic conditions. Microautoradiographic studies revealed that M. parvicella took up oleic acid under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, while only a few floc formers were able to take it up under anaerobic conditions. Extraction and separation of the radioactive biomass into different lipid fractions showed that the oleic acid was stored mainly as neutral lipids under anaerobic conditions, whereas conversion to membrane phospholipids occurred almost exclusively under aerobic conditions, indicating growth. The surface properties of M. parvicella and other bacteria were characterized by hydrophobic fluorescent microspheres, which showed that M. parvicella was relatively hydrophobic. Furthermore, a surface-associated extracellular lipase activity was observed, indicating the ability of M. parvicella to degrade lipids near the filament surface. The results support the hypothesis that uptake and storage of LCFA as lipids under anaerobic conditions provide an effective competition strategy against bacteria that can only take up LCFA under aerobic conditions. Thus, M. parvicella seems to be a specialized lipid consumer with a physiological potential analogous to PAOs and GAOs being able to take up LCFA (but not short chain fatty acids or glucose) under anaerobic conditions and subsequently use the storage material for growth when nitrate or oxygen are available as electron acceptors.

Biochemical Changes Associated with Luxury Phosphate Uptake in a Modified Phoredox Activated Sludge System

1983 ◽  
Vol 15 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 105-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J J Potgieter ◽  
B W Evans
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Phosphate Uptake ◽  
Biochemical Changes ◽  
Laboratory Scale ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Phosphate Release ◽  
Activated Sludge System

Several chemical and biochemical parameters were monitored for in a laboratory scale modified Phoredox activated sludge system fed with settled sewage. The influence of several substrates and pH on phosphate release under anaerobic conditions was investigated. The significance of some chemical and biochemical parameters in relation to luxury phosphate uptake is discussed and related to a concept of imbalanced provision of intermediates and other nutrients as the primary cause of enhanced phosphate uptake.

The Reaction of Thiol Compounds with the Vitamin-K Dependent Clotting Factors

1969 ◽  
Vol 21 (03) ◽  
pp. 573-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Fantl
Keyword(s):  
Prothrombin Time ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Thiol Compounds ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
One Stage ◽  
Factor Ii ◽  
Ph Dependent ◽  
The One

SummaryTreatment of human and dog oxalated plasma with 0.2 to 1.0 × 10−1 M 2.3-dithiopropanol (BAL) or dithiothreitol (DTT) at 2–4° C for 30 min results in the reduction of the vitamin-K dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX and X to the respective-SH derivatives. The reaction is pH dependent. Under aerobic conditions the delayed one stage prothrombin time can be partly reversed. Under anaerobic conditions a gradual prolongation of the one stage prothrombin time occurs without reversal.In very diluted plasma treated with the dithiols, prothrombin can be converted into thrombin if serum as source of active factors VII and X is added. In contrast SH factors VII, IX and X are inactive in the specific tests. Reoxidation to active factors II, VII, IX and X takes place during adsorption and elution of the SH derivatives. The experiments have indicated that not only factor II but also factors VII, IX and X have active-S-S-centres.

Activated Sludge Exocellular Material Extraction Methods and Problems

1974 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-261
Author(s):  
D.F. Carr ◽  
J. Ganczarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Volatile Material ◽  
Bacterial Cultures ◽  
Volatile Solids ◽  
Pure Bacterial Cultures ◽  
Material Extraction

Abstract Activated sludge samples from two Toronto sewage treatment plants were subjected to the extraction of exocellular material by means of 9 different methods suggested for this purpose. Some of those methods, originally developed for pure bacterial cultures, were modified for the application to activated sludge. The amount of exocellular material obtained varied for Lakeview sludges from 0.4 to 3.2% of their dry volatile solids, and for Humber sludges from 0.3 to 5.3%. It has been found that extractions by the use of sulphuric acid, high-speed centrifugation and sodium hydroxide, were not suitable for the studied material. Especially surprising was the ineffectiveness of high-speed centrifugation to yield any measurable amounts of extract. The boiling water extraction is recommended for further studies on activated sludge exocellular material. The material extracted from activated sludge is very complex in nature. Generally more polysaccharide than protein was extracted, but the remaining volatile material may form up to 70% of the dry weight.

Pond Treatment of Rettery Wastewaters

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 79-83
Author(s):  
K. Bartoszewski ◽  
A. Bilyk
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Anaerobic Treatment ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
Aerobic Stabilization ◽  
In Series

Rettery wastewaters were treated in anaerobic and aerobic ponds. Anaerobic treatment yielded efficiencies of BOD5 and COD removal as low as 20%. The treatment process conducted under aerobic conditions in aerated and stabilizing ponds arranged in series took from 18 to 20 days and gave efficiencies of BOD5 and COD removal amounting to 90%. The experimental results were interpreted by virtue of the Eckenfelder equation. Excess activated sludge was subjected to aerobic stabilization in a separate tank. A new technology was suggested for the existing obsolete industrial treatment plant.

Hydrolysis of organic wastewater particles in laboratory scale and pilot scale biofilm reactors under anoxic and aerobic conditions

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 179-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Janning ◽  
X. Le Tallec ◽  
P. Harremoës
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Laboratory Scale ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
Biofilm Reactors ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Hydrolysis and degradation of particulate organic matter has been isolated and investigated in laboratory scale and pilot scale biofilters. Wastewater was supplied to biofilm reactors in order to accumulate particulates from wastewater in the filter. When synthetic wastewater with no organic matter was supplied to the reactors, hydrolysis of the particulates was the only process occurring. Results from the laboratory scale experiments under aerobic conditions with pre-settled wastewater show that the initial removal rate is high: rV, O2 = 2.1 kg O2/(m3 d) though fast declining towards a much slower rate. A mass balance of carbon (TOC/TIC) shows that only 10% of the accumulated TOC was transformed to TIC during the 12 hour long experiment. The pilot scale hydrolysis experiment was performed in a new type of biofilm reactor - the B2A® biofilter that is characterised by a series of decreasing sized granular media (80-2.5 mm). When hydrolysis experiments were performed on the anoxic pilot biofilter with pre-screened wastewater particulates as carbon source, a rapid (rV, NO3=0.7 kg NO3-N/(m3 d)) and a slowler (rV, NO3 = 0.3 kg NO3-N/(m3 d)) removal rate were observed at an oxygen concentration of 3.5 mg O2/l. It was found that the pilot biofilter could retain significant amounts of particulate organic matter, reducing the porosity of the filter media of an average from 0.35 to 0.11. A mass balance of carbon shows that up to 40% of the total incoming TOC accumulates in the filter at high flow rates. Only up to 15% of the accumulated TOC was transformed to TIC during the 24 hour long experiment.

Minimization of activated sludge production by chemically stimulated energy spilling

2000 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 189-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.-H. Chen ◽  
H.-K. Mo ◽  
S. Saby ◽  
W.-k. Yip ◽  
Y. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Staining Technique ◽  
Microbial Culture ◽  
Dapi Staining ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Energy Spilling ◽  
Activated Sludge Processes ◽  
Sludge Production

Minimization of excess sludge production in activated sludge processes has been pursued around the world in order to meet stringent environmental regulations on sludge treatment and disposal. To achieve this goal, physical, chemical, and biological approaches have been proposed. In this paper, a chemical compound, 3,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS) was tested for enhancing microbial energy spilling of the sludgeso as to minimize its growth. In order to examine this, an exploratory study was conducted using both batch and continuous activated sludge cultures. Batch experiments with these two cultures were carried out at different initial concentrations of TCS. It has been confirmed that an addition of TCS is effective in reducing the production of both the sludge cultures, particularly the continuous culture where the observed growth yield was reduced by around 70%, when the initial TCS concentration was 0.8 ppm. Meanwhile, the substrate removal activity of this culture was found not to be affected at this TCS concentration. To further evaluate the TCS effect, a pure microbial culture of E. coli was employed. Batch experiment results with this culture implied that TCS might be able to reduce the cell density of E. coli drastically when an initial TCS concentration was greater than 0.12 ppm. It was also found that TCS was not toxic to this type of bacteria. Microscopic examinations with a 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining technique revealed that TCS neither affected the cell division nor altered the cell size of E. coli. However, both the cell ATP content and the cell dry weight were reduced significantly with the addition of TCS.

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