Inoculation of a submerged filter for biological denitrification of nitrate polluted groundwater: a comparative study

Activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant and pure culture of Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava were utilized for the development of a denitrifying biofilm in a submerged filter in order to remove nitrate from polluted groundwater. Nitrate removal efficiency, nitrite accumulation, turbidity, COD and faecal indicators persistence in the treated water were determined at different superficial hydraulic loading (10, 20 and 30 m(3)/m(2) d) and superficial nitrate loading rates (1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 Kg NO(3)(-)/m(2) d) in the submerged filter. The application of H. pseudoflava as inocula allowed better results in terms of system stability, higher superficial hydraulic loading and superficial nitrate loading rates (30 m(3)/m(2)d and 9 kg NO(3)(-) /m(2) d, respectively). These values improve those obtained when the system was inoculated with activated sludge. In addition, the pure microbial inocula improved design parameters and running of the process due to its biofilm homogeneity, obtaining treated water with better characteristics to its final use as drinking water than that obtained with an activated sludge inocula.     

Development of enhanced sulphidogenesis process for the treatment of wastewater having low COD/SO(4)(2-) ratio

An upflow hybrid sulphidogenesis reactor of 1.75 L volume was developed (at oxidation-reduction potential (ORP)=-225+/-25 mV) using flocculent extended aeration process sludge (selected based on screening study at COD/SO(4)(2-) ratio=1) for enhanced sulphidogenesis and COD removal. The reactor was subjected to various loading rate studies at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1 day with COD/SO(4)(2-) ratio of 1.3. At loading rate of 2.5 kg COD/(m(3)day), excellent performance with more than 97% removal of sulphate was achieved within bottom 40% volume of the reactor. At a higher loading rate of 3.75 kg COD/(m(3)day), there was a decrease in both sulphate (70-75%) and COD (50%) removal efficiencies. A controlled and continuous air injection (0.19 L/(L min)) given at 40% volume of the reactor affected sulphide oxidation inside the reactor and enhanced the sulphate reduction in the reactor. The specific sulphate reduction capacity of mixed culture drawn from the bottom part of the reactor was 0.35 kg SO(4)(2-)/(kg VSS day). The results of this study showed that enhanced sulphidogenesis with sulphide inhibition control can maintain sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in anaerobic reactor at low COD/SO(4)(2-) ratios between 1 and 2, with efficient simultaneous removal of COD and SO(4)(2-). The sulphide generated in the system can be recovered as elemental sulphur and/or oxidized back to sulphate.     

Simultaneous removal of C, N, P from cheese whey by jet loop membrane bioreactor (JLMBR)

The membrane bioreactor (MBR) used in this study consisted of a jet loop bioreactor (aerobic high rate system) and a membrane separation unit (microfiltration). Jet loop membrane bioreactor (JLMBR) system is a high performance treatment system. High organic loading rates can be achieved with a very small footprint. The JLMBR is a compact biological treatment system which requires much smaller tank volumes than conventional activated sludge system. Solid-liquid separation is performed with a membrane. The JLMBR system, of 35 L capacity, was operated continuously for 3 months with a sludge age of 1.1-2.8 days and chemical oxygen demand (COD) loads of 3.5-33.5 kg COD m(-3) day(-1). The mean concentration values of COD, total nitrogen (TN) and PO(4)3- in cheese whey (CW) were found as 78,680 mg L(-1), 1125 mg L(-1) and 378 mg L(-1), respectively. Ninety-seven percent COD removal rate was obtained at the sludge age (Thetac) of 1.6 days and volumetric loads of 22.2 kg COD m(-3) day(-1). TN removal was obtained as 99% at the loading rates of 17-436 g TN m(-3) day(-1). PO4(3-) removals were between 65 and 88% for the loading of 30-134 gPO4(3-) m(-3) day(-1). The system could simultaneously remove the COD, TN and PO(4)3- at high efficiencies. The sludge flocks were highly motile, dispersed and had poor settling properties.     

Removal of p-xylene from an air stream in a hybrid biofilter

Biofiltration of an air stream containing p-xylene has been studied in a laboratory hybrid biofilter packed with a mixture of mature pig compost, forest soil and the packing material which was made of polyethylene (PE) and used in the moving bed biological reactor (MBBR) in wastewater treatment. Three flow rates, 9.17, 19.87 and 40.66 m(3)m(-2)h(-1), were investigated for p-xylene inlet concentration ranging from 0.1 to 3.3 g m(-3). A high elimination capacity of 80 g m(-3)h(-1) corresponding to removal efficiency of 96% was obtained at a flow rate of 9.17 m(3)m(-2)h(-1) (empty bed residence time of 132 s). At a flow rate of 40.66 m(3)m(-2)h(-1) (empty bed residence time of 30s), the maximum elimination capacity for p-xylene was 40 g m(-3)h(-1) and removal efficiencies were in the range of 47-100%. The production of carbon dioxide (P(CO(2))) is proportional to elimination capacity (EC) and the linear relation was formulated as P(CO(2))=1.65EC+15.58. Stable pH values ranging from 6.3 to 7.6 and low pressure drop values less than 0.2 cm H(2)O (19.6 Pa) of packing media in compost-based biofilter of hybrid biofilter were observed, which avoided acidification and compaction of packing media and sustained the activity of microorganism populations.     

Chromate reduction by Arthrobacter CR47 in biofilm packed bed reactors

Bacterial strain Cr47 was isolated from a landfarming process soil sample. It was identified, by 16s rDNA sequencing, as Arthrobacter sp. The time course of the Cr(VI) reduction was monitored in batch operated packed bed biofilm reactors (12 mL void volume) and in recirculating packed bed biofilm reactors (100 mL void volume) inoculated with bacterial strain Cr47. The reduction was evaluated with, 30 mg L(-1) Cr(VI) laboratory solutions prepared with K2Cr2O7 and enriched with glucose-minimal medium, and with 30 mg L(-1) Cr(VI) industrial model solutions prepared with chrome plating waste waters enriched with sucrose-minimal medium. Under batch mode the reduction reaction by the biofilm seemed to fit well an exponential-decay model with a first order kinetic parameter of 0.071 mg(L h)(-1) Cr(VI). In the recirculating reactor, monitored after 4 weeks from inoculation and fed with laboratory solutions the removal rate was 0.79 mg(L h)(-1). In the reactor fed with the industrial model solutions the maximum Cr(VI) removal rate attained was 0.49 mg(L h)(-1). Artrobacter sp. packed bed biofilm reactors achieved Cr(VI) reduction rates comparable to other aerobic and anaerobic fixed film bioreactors previously reported.     

Wastewater treatment in a hybrid activated sludge baffled reactor

A novel hybrid activated sludge baffled reactor (HASBR), which contained both suspended and attached-growth biomass perfect mixing cells in series, was developed by installing standing and hanging baffles and introducing plastic brushes into a conventional activated sludge (CAS) reactor. It was used for the treatment of domestic wastewater. The effects on the operational performance of developing the suspended and attached-growth biomass and reactor configuration were investigated. The change of the flow regime from complete-mix to plug-flow, and the addition of plastic brushes as a support for biofilm, resulted in considerable improvements in the COD, nitrogen removal efficiency of domestic wastewater and sludge settling properties. In steady state, approximately 98+/-2% of the total COD and 98+/-2% of the ammonia of the influent were removed in the HASBR, when the influent wastewater concentration was 593+/-11 mg COD/L and 43+/-5 mg N/L, respectively, at a HRT of 10 h. These results were 93+/-3 and 6+/-3% for the CAS reactor, respectively. Approximately 90+/-7% of the total COD was removed in the HASBR, when the influent wastewater concentration was 654+/-16 mg COD/L at a 3h HRT, and in the organic loading rate (OLR) of 5.36kgCOD m(-3) day(-1). The result for the CAS reactor was 60+/-3%. Existing CAS plants can be upgraded by changing the reactor configuration and introducing biofilm support media into the aeration tank.     

Performance of a hybrid-loop bioreactor system in biological treatment of 2,4,6-tri-chlorophenol containing synthetic wastewater: effects of hydraulic residence time

A hybrid-loop bioreactor system consisting of a packed column biofilm and an aerated tank bioreactor with effluent recycle was used for biological treatment of 2,4,6-tri-chlorophenol (TCP) containing synthetic wastewater. Effects of hydraulic residence time (HRT) on COD, TCP and toxicity removal performance of the reactor were investigated for the HRT values between 5 and 30 h, while the feed COD (2700+/-100 mgl(-1)), TCP (300+/-10 mgl(-1)) and the solids retention time (sludge age, SRT, 20 d) were constant. Percent TCP, COD and toxicity removals increased with increasing HRT resulting in more than 90% COD, TCP and toxicity removals at HRT values above 25 h. Biomass concentrations in the packed column and in the aeration tank increased with increasing HRT resulting in low reactor TCP concentrations and therefore high TCP, COD and toxicity removals at high HRT values. Volumetric and specific rates of TCP and COD removals decreased with increasing HRT due to increased biomass and decreased flow rates at high HRT levels. Volumetric and specific removal rates of COD and TCP were maximum at an HRT of 5 h.     

Treatment of xylene polluted air using press mud-based biofilter

In the present work, biofiltration of xylene vapors has been investigated on a laboratory scale biofilter packed with press mud as filter material inoculated with activated sludge from pharmaceutical industry. Four various gas flow rates, i.e. 0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12 m(3) h(-1), were tested for inlet xylene concentration ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 g m(-3). The biofilter proved to be highly efficient in the removal of xylene at a gas flow rate of 0.2m(3) h(-1) corresponding to a gas residence time of 2.8 min. For all the tested inlet concentrations, the removal efficiency decreased for high gas flow rates. For all the tested gas flow rates, a decrease in the removal efficiency was noticed for high xylene inlet concentration. The follow-up of carbon dioxide concentration profile through the biofilter revealed that the mass ratio of carbon dioxide produced to the xylene removed was approximately 2.52, which confirms complete degradation of xylene if one considers the fraction of the consumed organic carbon used for the microbial growth.     

Elimination of Cu(II) toxicity by powdered waste sludge (PWS) addition to an activated sludge unit treating Cu(II) containing synthetic wastewater

Copper(II) ion toxicity onto activated sludge organisms was eliminated by addition of powdered waste sludge (PWS) to the feed wastewater for removal of Cu(II) ions by biosorption before biological treatment. The synthetic feed wastewater containing 14 or 22 mgl(-1) Cu(II) was mixed with PWS in a mixing tank where Cu(II) ions were adsorbed onto PWS and the mixture was fed to a sedimentation tank to separate Cu(II) containing PWS from the feed wastewater. The activated sludge unit fed with the effluent of the sedimentation tank was operated at a hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 10h and sludge age (SRT) of 10 days. To investigate Cu(II), COD and toxicity removal performance of the activated sludge unit at different PWS loadings, the system was operated at different PWS loading rates (0.1-1 gPWSh(-1)) while the Cu(II) loading rate was constant throughout the operation. Percent copper, COD and toxicity removals increased with increasing PWS loading rate due to increased adsorption of Cu(II) onto PWS yielding low Cu(II) contents in the feed. Biomass concentration in the aeration tank increased and the sludge volume index (SVI) decreased with increasing PWS loading rate due to elimination of Cu(II) from the feed wastewater by PWS addition. PWS addition to the Cu(II) containing wastewater was proven to be effective for removal of Cu(II) by biosorption before biological treatment. Approximately, 1 gPWSh(-1) should be added for 28 mgCuh(-1) loading rate for complete removal of Cu(II) from the feed wastewater to obtain high COD removals in the activated sludge unit.     

Toluene removal in membrane bioreactors under recirculating and non-recirculating liquid conditions

A single-, dual- and multiple-tube dense phase silicone rubber membrane bioreactor were investigated for control of toluene-contaminated air under circulating and non-recirculating liquid conditions. A mathematical model was developed to describe the system. The reactors were seeded with a mixed bacterial consortium isolated from activated sludge and capable of aromatic biodegradation. After operating with recirculating liquid nutrient solution, the reactors were operated with no recirculation of the liquid, for 50 days or more in each instance. Average toluene removal measured in the single-tube reactor was 93 ppm with recirculating liquid and 102 ppm without recirculation of the liquid. Average removal measured in the dual-tube reactor was 396 ppm with recirculating liquid and 319 ppm without recirculation of the liquid. Operation under stagnant liquid conditions had no significant detrimental impact on bioreactor performance. Biokinetic parameters were measured for both the suspension and biofilm with values of the maximum specific utilization rate values (k) ranging from 0.01 to 0.42 h⁻¹ and half saturation constant values (K _S) ranging from 1.5 to 14.3 mg L⁻¹. Results suggest that membrane bioreactors might be operated under non-recirculating liquid conditions without performance detriment, reducing or eliminating the energy requirements and costs associated with pump operation.     

Simultaneous nitrification-denitrification and phosphorus removal in a fixed bed sequencing batch reactor (FBSBR)

Biological nutrient removal (BNR) was investigated in a fixed bed sequencing batch reactor (FBSBR) in which instead of activated sludge polypropylene carriers were used. The FBSBR performance on carbon and nitrogen removal at different loading rates was significant. COD, TN, and phosphorus removal efficiencies were at range of 90-96%, 60-88%, and 76-90% respectively while these values at SBR reactor were 85-95%, 38-60%, and 20-79% respectively. These results show that the simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) is significantly higher than conventional SBR reactor. The higher total phosphorus (TP) removal in FBSBR correlates with oxygen gradient in biofilm layer. The influence of fixed media on biomass production yield was assessed by monitoring the MLSS concentrations versus COD removal for both reactors and results revealed that the sludge production yield (Y(obs)) is significantly less in FBSBR reactors compared with SBR reactor. The FBSBR was more efficient in SND and phosphorus removal. Moreover, it produced less excess sludge but higher in nutrient content and stabilization ratio (less VSS/TSS ratio).     

Kinetics of the removal of mono-chlorobenzene vapour from waste gases using a trickle bed air biofilter

The performance of a trickle bed air biofilter (TBAB) in the removal of mono-chlorobenzene (MCB) was evaluated in concentrations varying from 0.133 to 7.187 g m(-3) and at empty bed residence time (EBRT) varying from 37.7 to 188.52 s. More than 90% removal efficiency in the trickle bed air biofilter was achieved for the inlet MCB concentration up to 1.069 g m(-3) and EBRT less than 94.26 s. The trickle bed air biofilter was constructed with coal packing material, inoculated with a mixed consortium of activated sludge obtained from sewage treatment plant. The continuous performance of the removal of MCB in the trickle bed air biofilter was monitored for various gas concentrations, gas flow rates, and empty bed residence time. The experiment was conducted for a period of 75 days. The trickle bed air biofilter degrading MCB with an average elimination capacity of 80 g m(-3) h(-1) was obtained. The effect of starvation was also studied. After starvation period of 8 days, the degradation was low but recovered within a short period of time. Using macrokinetic determination method, the Michaelis-Menten kinetic constant K(m) and maximum reaction rate, r(max) evaluated as 0.121 g m(-3) s(-1) and 7.45 g m(-3), respectively.     

影响一体式平板膜生物反应器临界通量的因素

利用阶梯式通量递增法测定了一体式平板膜-生物反应器中的临界通量,对不同操作条件下测定值的差异进行了考察.通过正交试验设计,研究了曝气强度、污泥浓度(MLSS)和滤液COD(SCOD)三个因素分别在0.8,1.2,1.5 m3/h;10,20,30 g/L和50,100和150 mg/L水平下对临界通量测得值的影响.研究发现,污泥浓度和SCOD均对临界通量测得值呈负影响作用,而曝气强度则起正作用.随着污泥浓度和SCOD的增大,临界通量测得值是逐步减小的;而曝气强度的增大在一定程度上可以提高临界通量值.其中,临界通量测定值受SCOD的影响最大,MLSS次之,曝气强度最小.     

Recovery of phenol from aqueous solution by supported liquid membrane using vegetable oils as liquid membrane

The transport of phenol through a flat sheet supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing vegetable oil as liquid membrane (LM) has been investigated. The permeation of phenol was investigated by varying the experimental conditions like, selection of LM, support material, feed phase pH, stripping solution concentration, stirring speed and different initial concentration of phenol. It has been found that, each LM investigated in the present study shows the effective removal of phenol using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane and PP supported membrane as a solid support. Among the various oils tested, palm oil has chosen to be the best LM with permeability of 8.5x10(-6) m/s in acidic feed of pH 2.0 with 0.2 M sodium hydroxide as effective stripping agent. After 6 h all the phenol from the feed side gets transported to strip solution with an initial concentration of 100 mg/L. A concentration factor of five has been achieved in the present investigation easily with 0.2 M sodium hydroxide as stripping reagent. After 10 transport studies with one impregnation of LM, the LM showed no significant loss in the transport rate with average permeability of 7.9x10(-6) m/s with initial concentration 100 mg/L. Further study has also been attempted with cresols to explore the possibility of applying this to industrial wastewater under the optimized conditions for phenol. After 14 h of the transport studies in the phenol-formaldehyde industry wastewater, phenolic concentration in the feed solution was found to be below detectable level (1x10(-2) mg/L). For wood processing industry wastewater the transport takes place at the initial permeability of 7.1x10(-5) m/s. Thus it has been demonstrated the use of renewable, cheap, non toxic, naturally occurring vegetable oils as a novel, green liquid membrane for the recovery of phenol from aqueous solution in SLM, which has never been employed before in liquid membrane techniques.     

COD, para-chlorophenol and toxicity removal from para-chlorophenol containing synthetic wastewater in an activated sludge unit

Chlorinated phenolic compounds present in some chemical industry wastewaters cause severe toxic effects on the organisms and often are resistant to biological degradation. Synthetic wastewater containing different concentrations of para-chlorophenol (4-chlorophenol, 4-CP) was biologically treated in an activated sludge unit for COD, 4-CP and toxicity removal. Effects of feed 4-CP concentration on COD, 4-CP, toxicity removals and on sludge volume index were investigated at a constant sludge age of 20 days and hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 25 h. Resazurin method based on dehydrogenase activity was used for determination of the toxicity of the feed and effluent wastewater. COD and 4-CP removals were not affected by the presence of 4-CP in the wastewater up to feed 4-CP concentration of 925 mg l(-1) because of almost complete degradation of 4-CP yielding lower than 50 mg l(-1) 4-CP in the aeration tank. Percent COD, 4-CP and toxicity removals decreased and the effluent COD, 4-CP and toxicity levels increased with further increases in the feed 4-CP concentrations above 925 mg l(-1) because of inhibitory concentrations of 4-CP in the reactor. Biomass concentration in the aeration tank decreased and the sludge volume index (SVI) increased with feed 4-CP concentrations above 925 mg l(-1) resulting in lower COD and 4-CP removal rates. The rates of COD and 4-CP removals indicated substrate (4-CP) inhibition for the feed 4-CP concentrations above 925 mg l(-1) corresponding to the reactor 4-CP of above 200 mg l(-1). The system should be operated at the feed 4-CP concentrations of less than 900 mg l(-1) (4-CP(R) < 200 mg l(-1)) in order to obtain high rates and extents of COD, 4-CP and toxicity removals at a sludge age of 20 days and HRT of 25 h.     

Application of flat-sheet membrane to thickening and digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS)

The feasibility of using flat-sheet membrane for waste activated sludge (WAS) thickening and digestion was studied in this paper. The characteristics of the processes including the thickening efficiency, effluent water quality and filtration properties of the membrane for sludge thickening process (MST), digestion efficiency, effluent water quality and membrane permeability of the membrane for sludge simultaneous thickening and digestion process (MSTD) were investigated. Test results showed that good sludge thickening efficiency and superior effluent water quality were obtained in the MST process under hydraulic retention time (HRT) 0.26 and 2 d operation of each cycle, and the membrane fouling was mainly due to the increase of apparent viscosity of mixed liquors and the decrease of the cross-flow velocity (CFV) along membrane surfaces during one thickening cycle. Membranes were also selected for the processes and M1 membrane of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) material with pore size 0.2 microm demonstrated better permeability compared with other three membranes. About 80% MLSS destruction rate and 73% MLVSS destruction rate were achieved under HRT 1 d, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration 0.5-1.5 mg/L, temperature 20-28 degrees C and 15 d operation for one cycle in MSTD process, and membrane fouling of MSTD process was attributed to not only the reason of MST process mentioned above, but also the change of sludge properties such as the increase of soluble COD and microbial polymeric substances including EPS, carbohydrate and nucleic acids, etc. of the mixed liquors.     

Nitrification of industrial and domestic saline wastewaters in moving bed biofilm reactor and sequencing batch reactor

Nitrification of saline wastewaters was investigated in bench-scale moving-bed biofilm reactors (MBBR). Wastewater from a chemical industry and domestic sewage, both treated by the activated sludge process, were fed to moving-bed reactors. The industrial wastewater contained 8000 mg Cl(-)/L and the salinity of the treated sewage was gradually increased until that level. Residual substances present in the treated industrial wastewater had a strong inhibitory effect on the nitrification process. Assays to determine inhibitory effects were performed with the industrial wastewater, which was submitted to ozonation and carbon adsorption pretreatments. The latter treatment was effective for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal and improved nitrification efficiency. Nitrification percentage of the treated domestic sewage was higher than 90% for all tested chloride concentrations up to 8000 mg/L. Results obtained in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) were consistent with those attained in the MBBR systems, allowing tertiary nitrification and providing adequate conditions for adaptation of nitrifying microorganisms even under stressing and inhibitory conditions.     

Sulfidogenic biotreatment of synthetic acid mine drainage and sulfide oxidation in anaerobic baffled reactor

The treatment of synthetic acid mine drainage (AMD) water (pH 3.0-6.5) containing sulfate (3.0-3.5 g L(-1)) and various metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) was studied in an ethanol-fed sulfate-reducing 4-compartment anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) at 32°C. The reactor was operated for 160 days at different chemical oxygen demand (COD)/sulfate ratios, hydraulic retention times (HRT), pH, and metal concentrations to study the robustness of the process. The last compartment of the reactor was aerated at different rates to study the bio-oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur. The highest sulfate reduction efficiency (88%) was obtained with a feed sulfate concentration of 3.5 g L(-1), COD/sulfate mass ratio of 0.737, feed pH of 3.0 and HRT of 2 days without aeration in the 4th compartment. The corresponding COD removal efficiency was about 92%. The alkalinity produced in the sulfidogenic ethanol oxidation neutralized the acidic mine water from pH 3.0-4.5 to pH 7.0-8.0. Effluent soluble and total heavy metal concentrations were substantially reduced with removal efficiencies generally higher than 99%, except for Mn (25-77%). Limited aeration in the 4th compartment of ABR promoted incomplete oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur rather than complete oxidation to sulfate. Depending on the aeration rate and HRT, 32-74% of produced sulfide was oxidized to elemental sulfur. This study demonstrates that by optimizing operating conditions, sulfate reduction, metal removal, alkalinity generation, and excess sulfide oxidation can be achieved in a single ABR treating AMD.     

Biofilm photobioreactors for the treatment of industrial wastewaters

A flat plate and a tubular packed-bed photobioreactor with an algal-bacterial biofilm attached onto Poraver beads carriers, a flat plate and a tubular photobioreactor with the biofilm attached onto the reactor walls, and an algal-turf reactor were compared in terms of BOD removal efficiencies, elimination capacities, and stability. A control column photobioreactor with suspended algal-bacterial biomass was also tested to compare the performance of biofilm photobioreactors with conventional algal-based processes. When the algal-bacterial biomass was immobilized onto Poraver the process never reached a steady state due to a poor homogenization in the bioreactor. When the biofilm was formed onto the reactor wall (or reactor base) the process was stable. A maximum degradation rate of 295mg BODl(-1)h(-1) was achieved in the algal-turf reactor although control experiments performed in the dark showed atmospheric O2 diffusion represented 55% of the oxygenation capacity in this system. BOD removal rates of 108, and 92mg BODl(-1)h(-1) were achieved in the tubular and flat plate biofilm reactors, respectively, compared to 77mg BODl(-1)h(-1) in the control suspended bioreactor. In addition, all biofilm photobioreactors produced an easily settleable biomass. Evidence was found that biomass attachment to the reactor's wall improved stability.     

Biofiltration of volatile ethanol using sugar cane bagasse inoculated with Candida utilis.

Candida utilis (C. utilis) growing on sugar cane bagasse complemented with a mineral salt solution was studied for gaseous ethanol removal in a biofilter. Ethanol loads from 93.7 to 511.9 g/h m(3) were used, by varying both inlet ethanol concentration (9.72 to 52.4 g/m(3)) and air flow rate (1.59 x 10(-3) to 2.86 x 10(-3) m(3)/h). At a loading rate of 93.7 g/h m(3), a steady-state was maintained for 300 h. Ethanol removal was complete, and 76.3% of the carbon consumed was found in carbon dioxide. At an higher aeration rate (ethanol load=153.8 g/h m(3)), the biofilter displayed an average removal efficiency (RE) of 70%, and an elimination capacity (EC) of 107.7 g/h m(3). Only 64.4% of the carbon consumed was used for CO(2) production. Acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate in the outlet gas attained 7.86 and 20.4% in terms of carbon balance, respectively. In both cases, the transient phase was less than one day. At a high inlet ethanol concentration (52.4 g/m(3)), no steady-state was observed and the process stopped during the third day. In the three cases, final biomass was poor, ranging from 10.5 to 14.8 mg/g dm. Final pH 4.0-4.6, indicated that acidifying non-volatile metabolites, such as acetate, accumulated in the reactor.