Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Continuous anaerobic bioreactor with a fixed-structure bed (ABFSB) for wastewater treatment with low solids and low applied organic loading content

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes a new type of anaerobic bioreactor with a fixed-structure bed (ABFSB) in which the support for the biomass consists of polyurethane foam strips placed along the length of the bioreactor. This configuration prevents the accumulation of biomass or solids in the bed as well as clogging and channeling effects. In this study, complex synthetic wastewater with a chemical oxygen demand of 404.4 mg O2 L−1 is treated by the reactor. The ABFSB, which has a working volume of 4.77 L, was inoculated with anaerobic sludge obtained from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket bioreactor. A removal efficiency of 78 % for organic matter and an effluent pH of 6.97 were achieved. An analysis of the organic volatile acids produced by the ABFSB indicated that it operated under stable conditions during an experimental run of 36 days. The stable and efficient operation of the bioreactor was compared with the configurations of other anaerobic bioreactors used for complex wastewater treatment. The results of the study indicate that the ABFSB is a technological alternative to packed-bed bioreactors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lettinga G, van Velsen AFM, Hobma SW, Dezeeuw W, Klapwijk A (1980) Use of the upflow sludge blanket (USB) bioreactor concept for biological wastewater-treatment, especially for anaerobic treatment. Biotechnol Bioeng 22:699–734

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Kooijmans JL, Lettinga G, van Velsen AFM (1986). Application of the UASB process treatment of domestic sewage under sub-tropical conditions: the Cali case. In: Proceedings of EWPCA conference, Amsterdam, pp 4237–4360, 15–19 September

  3. Kato MT, Rebac S, Lettinga G (1999) Anaerobic treatment of low-strength brewery wastewater in expanded granular sludge bed bioreactor. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 76:15–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Cuel MF, Kwong WH, Zaiat M, Foresti F (2011) Solution of a heterogeneous modeling of horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) bioreactor by sequencing method. Can J Civ Eng 38:415–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Young JC, McCarty PL (1969) Anaerobic filter for waste treatment. J Water Pollut Control Fed 41:160–173

    Google Scholar 

  6. Escudie R, Cresson R, Delgenes JP, Bernet N (2011) Control of start-up and operation of anaerobic biofilm bioreactors: an overview of 15 years of research. Water Res 45:1–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ratusznei SM, Rodrigues JAD, Camargo EFM, Zaiat M, Borzani W (2000) Feasibility of a stirred anaerobic sequencing batch bioreactor containing immobilized biomass for wastewater treatment. Water Sci Technol 75:127–132

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lima CAA, Ribeiro R, Foresti E, Zaiat M (2005) Morphological study of biomass during the start-up period of a fixed-bed anaerobic bioreactor treating domestic sewage. Brazilian Arch Biol Technol 48:841–849

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Jawed M, Tare V (2000) Post-mortem examination and analysis of anaerobic filters. Bioresour Technol 72:75–84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Picanço AP, Vallero MV, Gianotti EP, Zaiat M, Blundi CE (2001) Influence of porosity and composition of supports on the methanogenic biofilm characteristics developed in a fixed bed anaerobic bioreactor. Water Sci Technol 44:197–204

    Google Scholar 

  11. Agrawal LK, Ohashi Y, Mochida E, Okui H, Ueki Y, Harada H, Ohashi A (1997) Treatment of raw sewage in a temperate climate using a UASB bioreactor and the hanging sponge cubes process. Water Sci Technol 36:433–440

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Mockaitis G, Rodrigues JAD, Foresti E, Zaiat M (2012) Toxic effects of cadmium (Cd2+) on anaerobic biomass: kinetic and metabolic implications. J Environ Manag 106:75–84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Camiloti PR, Mockaitis G, Rodrigues JAD, Damianovic MHRZ, Foresti E, Zaiat M (2013) Innovative anaerobic bioreactor with fixed-structured bed (ABFSB) for simultaneous sulfate reduction and organic matter removal. J Chem Technol Biotechnol. doi:10.1002/jctb.4199 (in press)

  14. Bergamo CM, Di Monaco R, Ratusznei SM, Rodrigues JAD, Zaiat M, Foresti E (2009) Effects of temperature at different organic loading levels on the performance of a fluidized-bed anaerobic sequencing batch bioreactor. Chem Eng Process 48(3):789–796

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Veronez RG, Orra AA, Ribeiro R, Zaiat M, Ratusznei SM, Rodrigues JAD (2005) A simplified analysis of granule behavior in ASBR and UASB bioreactors treating low-strength synthetic wastewater. Brazilian J Chem Eng 22(3):361–369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Netto APD, Zaiat M (2012) Treatment of domestic sewage in an anaerobic-aerobic fixed-bed bioreactor with recirculation of the liquid phase. Clean Soil Air Water 40(9):965–971

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. de Nardi IR, Ribeiro R, Zaiat M, Foresti E (2005) Anaerobic packed-bed bioreactor for bioremediation of gasoline-contaminated aquifers. Process Biochem 40(2):587–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. (2005) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, APHA, AWWA, WPCF. In: 21th edn. American Public Health Association, Washington

  19. Dillalo R, Albertson OE (1961) Volatile acids by direct titration. J Water Pollut Control Fed 33:356–365

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ripley LE, Boyle WC, Converse JC (1986) Improved alkalimetric monitoring for anaerobic digestor of high-strength wastes. J Water Pollut Control Fed 58:406–411

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Speece RE (1983) Anaerobic biotechnology for industrial wastewater treatment. Environ Sci Technol 17(9):416A–427A

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Harper SR, Pohland FG (1986) Recent developments in hydrogen management during anaerobic biological wastewater treatment. Biotechnol Bioeng 28:585–602

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Rodrigues JAD, Ratuznei SM, Camargo EFM, Zaiat M (2003) Influence of agitation rate on the performance of an anaerobic sequencing batch bioreactor containing granulated biomass treating low-strength wastewater. Adv Environ Res 7:405–410

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Pinheiro DM, Ratusznei SM, Rodrigues JAD, Zaiat M, Foresti E (2008) Fluidized ASBR treating synthetic wastewater: effect of recirculation velocity. Chem Eng Process 47:184–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Chan YJ, Chong MF, Law CL, Hassell DG (2009) A review on anaerobic-aerobic treatment of industrial and municipal wastewater. Chem Eng J 155:1–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Seghezzo L, Zeeman G, Van Lier JB, Hamelers HVM, Lettinga G (1998) A review: the anaerobic treatment of sewage in UASB and EGSB bioreactors. Bioresour Technol 65:175–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Griffin ME, McMahon KD, Mackie RI, Raskin L (1998) Methanogenic population dynamics during start-up of anaerobic digesters treating municipal solid waste and biosolids. Biotechnol Bioeng 57:342–355

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Pandey PK, Ndegwa PM, Soupir ML, Alldredge JR, Pitts MJ (2011) Efficacies of inocula on the startup of anaerobic reactors treating dairy manure under stirred and unstirred conditions. Biomass Bioenergy 35:2705–2720

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Inanc B, Matsui S, Ide S (1996) Propionic acid accumulation and controlling factors in anaerobic treatment of carbohydrate: effects of H2 and pH. Water Sci Technol 34(5/6):317–325

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. McCarty PL, Mosey FE (1991) Modeling of anaerobic digestion processes (discussion of concepts). Water Sci Technol 24:17–33

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mockaitis G, Leite JAC, Pasotto MB, Zaiat M (2012) In: Taylor JC (ed) Advances in chemistry research, 1st edn. vol 16, Nova Science Publishers, New York

  32. Mockaitis G, Ratusznei SM, Rodrigues JAD, Zaiat M, Foresti E (2006) Anaerobic whey treatment by a stirred sequencing batch reactor (ASBR): effects of organic loading and supplemented alkalinity. J Environ Manag 79:198–206

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Ratusznei SM, Rodrigues JAD, Zaiat M (2003) Operating feasibility of anaerobic whey treatment in a stirred sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass. Water Sci Technol 48(6):179–186

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Grants awarded to G. Mockaitis from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil (FAPESP); process numbers 2005/51.702-9 and 2007/07.574-1.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Council of Canada (BRI-IRB/NRC-CNRC), Biotechnology Research Institute, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada

    G. Mockaitis

  2. Hydraulics and Sanitation Department, São Carlos Engineering School, Universidade de São Paulo (SHS/EESC/USP), Av. Trabalhador São-Carlense 400, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13566-590, Brazil

    G. Mockaitis, J. L. R. Pantoja, E. Foresti & M. Zaiat

  3. Mauá Engineering School, Mauá Institute of Technology (EEM/IMT), Praça Mauá 1, São Caetano do Sul, SP, CEP 09580-900, Brazil

    J. A. D. Rodrigues

Authors
  1. G. Mockaitis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. L. R. Pantoja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. A. D. Rodrigues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Foresti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Zaiat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Mockaitis.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mockaitis, G., Pantoja, J.L.R., Rodrigues, J.A.D. et al. Continuous anaerobic bioreactor with a fixed-structure bed (ABFSB) for wastewater treatment with low solids and low applied organic loading content. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 37, 1361–1368 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-013-1108-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-013-1108-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation