Multiple effects of trace elements on methanogenesis in a two-phase anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating starch wastewater.

Abstract

For enhancing anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) treating food processing wastewater due to speed-limited methanogenesis step, multiple effects of trace element (TE) supplementation on methanogenesis of a two-phase AnMBR were firstly investigated in batch tests. TE supplementation included individual element, combination and recovery of Fe, Ni, Co, Cu and Zn supplementation. Multiple effects of TE supplementation were highest stimulated by 22.4 ± 5.6% (TE313) for chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, 43.1 ± 12.5% (TE303) for specific methanogenic activity (SMA) and 13.9 ± 3.7% (TE405) for biomass growth, respectively, although only 7.5 ± 0.6% (TE106) for methane production. Dosage of TEs played a critical role in methane production, COD removal and biomass growth of the AnMBR's methanogenesis. Low dosages of TE supplementation improved the COD removal and slightly stimulated the COD bioconverting to methane and biomass, but their specific methanation activities were inhibited in the initial rapid methanogenesis stage. Several methanation functional species were increased in abundance like Methanosarcina and Methanoculleus.