Surface energetics to assess influence of biomass-type and biomass–adsorbent interactions in expanded beds

In integrated bioprocessing applications, expanded bed adsorption (EBA) chromatography presents an opportunity to harvest biomolecules directly from the crude feedstock. However, unfavorable biomass interactions with adsorbent usually leads to fouling, which reduces its protein binding capacity as it alters column hydrodynamics and binding site availability. In this work, a detailed study on biomass adhesion behavior of four different industrially relevant microorganisms on 26 different, most commonly occurring adsorbent surfaces with varying degrees of surface energy and surface charge has been conducted. The results showed the derivation of a relative “stickiness” factor for every microorganism, which further classifies each organism based on their general degree of adhesion to surfaces with respect to one another. The obtained results can help to better understand the effect of biomass homogenization on biomass–adsorbent interactions in EBA. The data of surface energy and charge for the surfaces investigated in this work can be used to calculate the stickiness factor of other microorganisms of interest and may assist in the development of novel adsorbent materials for EBA chromatography.

Pesticide removals in the nitrifying expanded-bed filter at drinking water treatment plant

The occurrence of pesticides even at low concentrations in drinking water sources might induce potential risks to public health. This study aimed to investigate the removal mechanisms of eight pesticides by the nitrifying expanded-bed filter using biological activated carbon media at the pretreatment of a drinking water plant. The field analysis demonstrated that four pesticides Flutolanil, Buprofezin, Chlorpyrifos, and Fenobucard, were removed at 82%, 55%, 54%, and 52% respectively, while others were not significantly removed. Under controlled laboratory conditions with continuous and batch experiments, the adsorption onto the biological activated carbon media was demonstrated to be the main removal pathway of the pesticides. The contribution of microorganisms to the pesticide removals was rather limited. The pesticide removals observed in the field reactor was speculated to be the adsorption on the suspended solids presented in the influent water. The obtained results highlighted the need to apply a more efficient and cost-effective technology to remove the pesticide in the drinking water treatment process. Keywords: biological activated carbon; drinking water treatment; nitrifying expanded-bed filter; pesticide removal.

Pemodelan Reaktor Hibrid Anaerob Pengolah Molasse Pada Pembebanan Organik Tinggi

Telah dikembangkan reaktor anaerob kecepatan tinggi (high rate) yang merupakan modifikasi reaktor konvensional. Di antaranya berupa (bio)reaktor pertumbuhan tersuspensi (contoh: UASB, Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) dan reaktor pertumbuhan lekat (Fixed Bed atau Biofilter, Fluidized Bed, Expanded Bed, Rotating Biodisc dan Baffled Reactor). Kedua tipe reaktor di atas memiliki sejumlah kelebihan dan kekurangan. Untuk mengoptimalkan nilai positifnya (terutama untuk keperluan desain) maka reaktor tersebut, pada penelitian ini, disusun menjadi satu urutan yang disebut Reaktor Hibrid Anaerob (Rehan) yakni UASB di bawah dan AF di atasnya. Lebih lanjut, penelitian ini diharapkan dapat memberikan informasi tentang kinerja Rehan dalam mengolah air limbah (substrat) yang konsentrasi zat organiknya (COD) sangat tinggi dan suatu model matematika yang dapat mewakili reaktor tersebut.