scholarly journals A Cyanobacteria-Based Biofilm System for Advanced Brewery Wastewater Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Konstantinos P. Papadopoulos ◽  
Christina N. Economou ◽  
Athanasia G. Tekerlekopoulou ◽  
Dimitris V. Vayenas

Algal/cyanobacterial biofilm photobioreactors provide an alternative technology to conventional photosynthetic systems for wastewater treatment based on high biomass production and easy biomass harvesting at low cost. This study introduces a novel cyanobacteria-based biofilm photobioreactor and assesses its performance in post-treatment of brewery wastewater and biomass production. Two different supporting materials (glass/polyurethane) were tested to investigate the effect of surface hydrophobicity on biomass attachment and overall reactor performance. The reactor exhibited high removal efficiency (over 65%) of the wastewater’s pollutants (chemical oxygen demand, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, orthophosphate, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen), while biomass per reactor surface reached 13.1 and 12.8 g·m−2 corresponding to 406 and 392 mg·L−1 for glass and polyurethane, respectively, after 15 days of cultivation. The hydrophilic glass surface favored initial biomass adhesion, although eventually both materials yielded complete biomass attachment, highlighting that cell-to-cell interactions are the dominant adhesion mechanism in mature biofilms. It was also found that the biofilm accumulated up to 61% of its dry weight in carbohydrates at the end of cultivation, thus making the produced biomass a suitable feedstock for bioethanol production.

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiane Cristina de Oliveira Garcia ◽  
Liliane Lazzari Albertin ◽  
Tsunao Matsumoto

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of a duckweed pond in the polishing of a stabilization pond effluent, as well as quantify its biomass production. Once an adequate destination is given to the produced biomass, the wastewater treatment plant can work in a sustainable and integrated way. Design/methodology/approach The duckweed pond consisted of a tank with volume 0.44 m3, operating in continuous flow with an outflow of 0.12 m3/day and hydraulic retention time of 3.8 days. Effluent samples were collected before and after the treatment, with analyzes made: daily-pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature; twice a week – total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and chemical oxygen demand (COD); and weekly – total solids (TS) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5). The duckweeds were collected each for seven days for its production quantification. Findings The highest efficiency of TN, TP, COD, BOD5 and TS removal were of 74.67, 66.18, 88.12, 91.14 and 48.9 percent, respectively. The highest biomass production rate was 10.33 g/m2/day in dry mass. Research limitations/implications There was great variation in biomass production, which may be related to the stabilization pond effluent conditions. The evaluation of the effluent composition, which will be treated with duckweeds, is recommended. Practical implications The evaluated treatment system obtained positive results for the reduction in the analyzed variables concentration, being an efficient technology and with operational simplicity for the domestic effluent polishing. Originality/value The motivation of this work was to bring a simple system of treatment and to give value to a domestic wastewater treatment system in a way that, at the same time the effluent polluter level is reduced and it is also possible to produce biomass during the treatment process.


Author(s):  
Wenjin Zhang ◽  
Rongbin Xia ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Shihua Pu ◽  
Dongmei Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Combined treatments were designed based on iron-carbon micro-electrolysis treatment (ICME), physical adsorption (PA) with zeolite (Z) or vermiculite (V) and microalgae cultivation (MC, C. vulgaris) for removing pollutants from swine wastewater (SW), herein are ICME + MC (IM), ICME + Z + MC (IZM) and ICME + V + MC (IVM). Results showed that the minimum total nitrogen (TN) of 43.66 mg L−1, NH4+-N of 1.33 mg−1 and total phosphorus (TP) of 0.14 mg−1 were obtained by IVM, while the minimum chemical oxygen demand (COD) was 105 mg−1 via IM. During the process of combined treatments, ICME contributed most to the removal of TN (84.52% by IZM), TP (97.78% by IVM and IZM) and COD (62.44% by IVM), and maximum NH4+-N removal (55.64%) was obtained by MC procedure in IM process. Vermiculite performed better than zeolite during all the combined treatments. Besides, the maximum cell dry weight (CDW, 0.74 g−1) of C. vulgaris was obtained by IM on day 13. The results provide an efficient integrated method for swine wastewater treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 1524-1537
Author(s):  
Rana Muhammad Asif Kanwar ◽  
Zahid Mahmood Khan ◽  
Hafiz Umar Farid

Abstract The present research was conducted to assess the feasibility of biological treatment of a typical wastewater (WW) stream in Multan, Pakistan, using daily trends of WW characteristics and to design a wastewater treatment (WWT) system for that stream. The pH (5.8–6.2), temperature (24–30 °C), biological oxygen demand (BOD5: 128–265 mg/L), ultimate BOD (BODu: 227–438 mg/L), BOD/total Kjeldahl nitrogen (BOD5/TKN:5.9–11.2), BODu/BOD5 (1.6–2.0), carbonaceous BODu/nitrogenous BODu (CBODu/NBODu:1.6–2.8) of the WW was found to support the biological WWT. The inclusion of NBOD also indicated the need for nitrification-denitrification. The linear regression analysis of volatile suspended solids (VSS) with total suspended solids (TSS) indicated the high content of organic solids, which also made the WW suitable for biological treatment. The BOD/COD (chemical oxygen demand) <0.8 indicated the requirement for biomass acclimation. The major process units of the WWT system developed included a primary clarifier, cascade aeration, trickling filter, adsorption filter and chlorination contact tank. During the validation of design procedures, considerable removal of TSS (91%), TDS (46%), BOD5 (88%), COD (87%) was observed over the 15 week operational period of the secondary WWT system. The WWT system developed was appropriate as a sustainable WWT system that consumed less energy and had lower operational costs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Azaizeh ◽  
K. G. Linden ◽  
C. Barstow ◽  
S. Kalbouneh ◽  
A. Tellawi ◽  
...  

Water shortage is an ongoing cardinal issue in the Middle East region. Wastewater reuse offers some remediation, but to-date many rural communities in the Palestinian Authority (PA) and in Jordan are not connected to centralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), many of them are disposing of their wastewater using infiltration septic tanks. This highlights the need for a small, local, low cost WWTP that can directly benefit local communities, producing effluents suitable for unrestricted irrigation. Constructed wetlands (CWs) could offer a solution as they are relatively easy and cheap to construct and maintain, and effective in removal of many pollutants. Nevertheless, pathogen removal in CWs is often not adequate, calling for additional disinfection. Here we describe the use of low-cost, consumer level, UV based disinfection systems coupled to CWs for wastewater treatment in three CWs: in Israel, Jordan and in the PA. Once mature, our adapted CWs reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) load, and, given proper use of the UV systems, inactivated indicator bacteria (faecal and E. coli) to levels suitable for irrigation, even when UV transmission (UVT) levels were low (∼40%). Our results demonstrate the promise in this combined treatment technique for cheap and simple wastewater treatment suitable for the Middle East region.


2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 2273-2283
Author(s):  
S. Mona Mirmousaei ◽  
Majid Peyravi ◽  
Mohammad Khajouei ◽  
Mohsen Jahanshahi ◽  
Soodabeh Khalili

Abstract In the current work, novel dynamic membranes (DM) were tested and introduced for cheese whey wastewater treatment based on resistant and inexpensive materials, polyesters, and chitosan. For the investigation of dynamic membrane (pre-coated and self-forming) characterizations, polyester as a low-cost and natural material with chitosan were chosen to provide the support of the target membrane. The inherent antifouling character of chitosan accompanied by its high hydrophilicity have made this polymer known as an attractive agent for membrane-based wastewater treatment operations. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) were employed as the dynamic layer. Neat polyester had a chemical oxygen demand (COD) rejection ratio of about 57.61%, but the flux declined sharply. The higher removal efficiency was for the self-forming type: total phosphate (94%) and citrate (95.5%). Fouled dynamic membranes were backwashed by sodium dodecyl-sulphate (SDS), warm water, and distilled water. Results demonstrated that the pre-coated was reduced and fouling increased the flux recovery rate (FRR) (9.1%) while use of the self-forming DM exhibited an aggravation of fouling by decreasing of support FRR (11.1%). It was found that by substitution of deionized water and hot water with SDS, FRR was enhanced. In the following, the photocatalytic ability of the product was investigated. The UV light source increased the removal ratio and FRR. For example, self-forming COD rejection was enhanced (6.63%).


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-643
Author(s):  
K. Chunkao ◽  
O. Phewnil ◽  
T. Pattamapitoon ◽  
N. Semvimol ◽  
W. Wararam

The 15-year research is aimed to apply the Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland (VFCW) technology along with growing Star, Kallar, Coast couch grasses for community wastewater treatment as obtained from Phetchaburi municipal after anaerobic digesting inside the 18.5 km High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. The results found that pH value did not evidently show any change of influent to effluent among grass species but drastic change due to treatment efficiency in Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKD), Total Phosphorus (TP), and Total Potassium (TK) due to supporting rapidly growing of Star, Kallar, and Coast couch grasses, and also some parts of organic forms to escape from the VFCW technical units as volatile gaseous chemicals; and precipitating down to the VFCW technical unit beds as sludge. The Star and Coast couch grasses showed higher potential in community wastewater treatment efficiency than Kallar grass but treating power were not different in wide ranges. Besides, the heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg as example) were contaminated in both treated wastewater and sludge (sediment). However, the influent and effluent as inflow and outflow of VFCW technical units found very low contamination but three grasses (Star, Kallar, and Coast couch) showed their eligibility in treating heavy metals, especially when their age at 45-day growth as the same findings of treating BOD, TKN, TP, and TK according to meet highest treatment efficiency at age of 45 days. In other words, the harvesting age at 45 days was not only reached the maximum treatment efficiency as well as maximum grass biomass but also kept away from heavy contamination.


2017 ◽  
pp. 6.1-6.8
Author(s):  
Mahrooz Sabri ◽  
Nazim Cicek ◽  
Qiuyan Yuan

Natural freeze/thaw processing is a simple, practical and low-cost solid-liquid separation method, which can effectively dewater wastewater sludge in Northern Canadian communities located in cold climate conditions. This method is especially effective when used in small treatment plants in remote and cold regions as typical dewatering methods require complex and expensive equipment, skilled operators and special maintenance. The objective of this research was to evaluate freeze/thaw processing as a method for dewatering, nutrient solubilisation and organics separation of wastewater sludge originating from two different wastewater treatment facilities: a Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) plant and non-BNR plant. The results of experiments showed the effectiveness of this method for sludge dewatering and solubilisation of organics and nutrients. The sludge solid content increased approximately 10-fold after freeze/thaw processing. The treatment solubilised 15.2%, 33.5% and 21.5% of the initial total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total chemical oxygen demand, respectively for the non-BNR sludge. These values were 6.3%, 80.0% and 16.5%, respectively for the BNR sludge. The released phosphorus and nitrogen in the water can be recovered and used as fertilizer for agricultural purposes, supporting northern food production.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 11-29
Author(s):  
Mohamad Padri ◽  
Nittaya Boontian ◽  
Chatlada Piasai ◽  
Thunchanok Phorndon

Combination of suitable algae species with wastewater condition is important to achieve high productivity of algae with remarkable removal of contaminants. However, the usage of algae in treating wastewater has not yet to show sufficient removal efficiency when the biomass productivity is extremely enhanced. This review aims to scrutinize and discuss: (1) several promising species for this coupling method; (2) main wastewater characteristics related to the microalgae biomass production and their removal efficiency; (3) metal occurrences and other biotic factors; and (4) constraint of microalgae biomass production and wastewater treatment process. Microalgae such as Chlorella, Spirulina and Scenedesmus are among the most utilized microalgae because of their utilities. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorous (TP) concentrations affect biomass yield of algae cultivation. Metals occurrences, light intensity and carbon dioxide availability play an important role in process of algae cultivation with diverse optimum levels of each factor. Sufficient but not excess concentration of N and P solely for building biomass and other metabolism activities, mixotrophic condition for algae to digest organic carbon, and heavy metals defense mechanisms are expected to address constraint of biomass generation demand and wastewater treatment efficiency.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Basma Abbas Abdulmajeed ◽  
Arwa Raad Ibrahim

The present study addresses adopting the organic and nutritious materials in dairy wastewater as media for cultivation of microalgae, which represent an important source of renewable energy. This study was carried out through cultivation of three types of microalgae; Chlorella sp., Synechococcus, and Anabaena. The results shows the success the cultivation of the Synechococcus and  Chlorella Sp, while the Anabaena microalgae were in low-growth level. The highest growth was in the Synechococcus farm, followed by Chlorella and Anabaena. However, the growth of Synechococcus required 10 days to achieve this increase that represents a negative indicator of the adoption of this type of microalgae in this media to meet the desired aims. While Chlorella needs less than two days to start growing. Moreover, the data obtained from the experiment show that removal of chemical oxygen demand in Chlorella cultures was (72%) more than that obtained from cultivation of other microalgae. Thus this microalgae is more efficient in wastewater treatment than other types.  


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