Activated Sludge Reactor Research Articles

Successful bioaugmentation of an activated sludge reactor with Rhodococcus sp. YYL for efficient tetrahydrofuran degradation

The exchange of tetrahydrofuran (THF)-containing wastewater should significantly affect the performance of an activated sludge system. In this study, the feasibility of using THF-degrading Rhodococcus sp. strain YYL to bioaugment an activated sludge system treating THF wastewater was explored. As indicated by a DGGE analysis, strain YYL alone could not dominate the system, with the concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) decreasing to nearly half of the initial concentration after 45d, and the microbial diversity was found to be significantly reduced. However, after the reactor was augmented with the mixed culture of strain YYL and two bacilli initially coexisting in the enriched isolation source, strain YYL quickly became dominant in the system and was incorporated into the activated sludge. The concentration of MLSS increased from 2.1g/L to 7.3g/L in 20d, and the efficiency of THF removal from the system was remarkably improved. After the successful bioaugmentation, more than 95% of THF was completely removed from the wastewater when 20mM THF was continuously loaded into the system. In conclusion, our research first demonstrates that bioaugmentation of activated sludge system for THF degradation is feasible but that successful bioaugmentation should utilize a THF-degrading mixed culture as the inoculum, in which the two bacilli might help strain YYL colonize in activated sludge by co-aggregation.

Detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) at four U.S. wastewater treatment plants that provide effluent for reuse

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, can occur in wastewater. However, to date, no previous studies have evaluated the occurrence of VRE at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that send their treated effluent to reuse sites. We evaluated the occurrence, concentration, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of VRE at U.S. WWTPs associated with reuse sites. We collected 44 wastewater samples, representing treatment steps from influent to effluent, from two Mid-Atlantic and two Midwest WWTPs between October 2009 and October 2010. Samples were analyzed for total enterococci and VRE using membrane filtration. Isolates were confirmed using biochemical tests and PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Sensititre® microbroth dilution. Data were analyzed by two-sample proportion tests and analysis of variance. We detected VRE in 27% (12/44) of all wastewater samples collected and VRE represented 3% of total enterococci detected at all WWTPs. More samples were VRE-positive from the Mid-Atlantic compared to the Midwest WWTPs (p=0.008). VRE concentrations decreased as treatment progressed at all WWTPs, except at Mid-Atlantic WWTP1 where there was an increase in VRE concentrations in activated sludge reactor samples. VRE were not detected in chlorinated effluent, but were detected in one un-chlorinated effluent sample. All unique VRE isolates were multidrug resistant. Fifty-five percent (12/22) of the isolates displayed high-level aminoglycoside resistance. Our findings show that chlorination reduces the occurrence of VRE in wastewater. However, WWTP workers could be exposed to VRE during wastewater treatment. Our data also raise potential concerns about VRE exposure among individuals who come into contact with un-chlorinated reclaimed water.

Application of a molecular based approach for the early detection of short term 3-chloroaniline shock loads on activated sludge bacterial community and functionality

Microbial processes are central elements in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to mineralize the organic matter, to degrade pollutants and to decrease the amount of suspended solids. This activity can be disrupted by organic and inorganic pollutants present in wastewater streams. Hence, it is of primary importance to investigate and monitor the structure and functionality of the sludge-resident microbial communities. We simulated a 3-chloroaniline (3-CA) shock load in 3-CA adapted and non-adapted semi-continuous activated-sludge (SCAS) reactors to selectively stress the Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB). Recently developed setting-independent theoretical interpretation of molecular DNA and RNA fingerprinting patterns were used to evaluate the responses of the microbial populations. Ammonium accumulation in treated reactors upon 3-CA addition confirmed the disruption of the functionality under stress conditions. Molecular analyses coupled to their interpretation highlighted that shock loaded reactors clustered separately from non-treated ones, especially when AOBs community was specifically targeted. Furthermore, the interpretation of RNA-based analyses, as compared to DNA-based ones, allowed to more promptly depicting shifts in a stressed community. We showed that the use of RNA-based molecular tools in combination with a new set of parameters is a powerful tool to link functional failures with microbial structure modifications in WWTPs, providing a potential tool for a rational optimization of the processes (Microbial Resource Management - MRM).

Dynamic Assessment of the Floc Morphology, Bacterial Diversity, and Integron Content of an Activated Sludge Reactor Processing Hospital Effluent

The treatment of hospital effluents (HE) is a major concern, as they are suspected of disseminating drugs and antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment. In order to assess HE influence on wastewater treatment plant biomass, lab-scale conventional activated sludge systems (CAS) were continuously fed with real HE or urban effluent as a control. To gain insights into the main hurdles linked to HE treatment, we conducted a multiparameter study using classical physicochemical characterization, phase contrast and confocal laser scaning microscopy, and molecular biology (i.e., pyrosequencing) tools. HE caused erosion of floc structure and the production of extracellular polymeric substances attributed to the development of floc-forming bacteria. Adaptation of the sludge bacterial community to the HE characteristics, thus maintaining the purification performance of the biomass, was observed. Finally, the comparative metagenomic analysis of the CAS showed that HE treatment resulted in an increase of class 1 resistance integrons (RIs) and the introduction of Pseudomonas spp. into the bacterial community. HE treatment did not reduce the CAS process performance; nevertheless it increases the risk of dissemination into the environment of bacterial species and genetic determinants (RIs) involved in antibiotic resistance acquisition.

Behavior of Natural Estrogens in Activated Sludge: Biodegradation in Semicontinuous Reactor under Aerobic, Anaerobic and Sequential Anaerobic/Aerobic Conditions

The behavior of natural estrogens was examined by separately spiking 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) into semicontinuous activated sludge reactors operated under aerobic, anaerobic and sequential anaerobic/aerobic conditions. Under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, E1 was formed from E2. The cactivated sludge; biodegradation; estrogens; estradiol; estroneonversion of E1 to E2 was did not occur under aerobic conditions. The maximum conversion of E2 to E1 was higher than the maximum conversion of E1 to E2. Overall, the degradation rate of E2 (kE2) was much faster than that of E1 (kE1). The findings suggest that E1 is probably more persistent than E2 in effluent of sewage treatment plants.

Enhancement of removal of trace organic contaminants by powdered activated carbon dosing into membrane bioreactors

This study compared the removal efficiency of 22 widespread trace organic contaminants by a laboratory-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) with and without direct addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) into the activated sludge reactor over a period of 312 days. The removal of hydrophilic and biologically persistent trace organic contaminants was immediately improved to above 95% after the addition of PAC into MBR. However, a compound-specific gradual decrease in removal underscored the requirement for the addition of fresh PAC. Adsorption onto PAC-added sludge appeared to play a significant role in the relatively more effective aqueous phase removal of a few resistant compounds such as carbamazepine in this study. A slower reduction in removal efficiency of compounds showing extraordinary persistence such as fenoprop and diclofenac was observed after raising the PAC concentration in the MBR from 0.1 to 0.5g/L. Nevertheless, comparison of extent of removal in terms of PAC usage indicated the suitability of more frequent dosing of smaller amounts of PAC.

Anaerobic degradation of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) by denitrifying bacteria

Two denitrifying bacteria were isolated using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as substrate. Strains SN1 and SN2 were isolated from an activated sludge reactor of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with Anaerobic–Anoxic–Oxic (A2/O) steps. Based on 16S rRNA gene analysis strain SN1 is 99% similar to Pseudomonas stutzeri (CCUG 11256T), while strain SN2 is 99% similar to Pseudomonas nitroreducens (DSM 14399T). The two novel strains are able to grow with a variety of organic compounds, including intermediates of SDS degradation. Alkylsulfatase activity was induced by SDS in strain SN1 and was enhanced by SDS in strain SN2. The type strain P. stutzeri (CCUG 11256T) is not able to grow with SDS. However, P. nitroreducens (DSM 14399T) is able to degrade and grow with SDS and nitrate or oxygen as electron acceptors, adding new information to the physiological abilities of this type strain.

Production and Characterization of Adsorbent Materials from Sewage Sludge by Pyrolysis

The conventional sludge disposal options include landfill, application to farmland and forestry and incineration. However, since in the last decade sewage sludge and industrial sludge are being generated in increasing amounts due to the rapid urbanization and industrialization, a growing interest has been devoted in developing cost effective and renewable disposal alternatives. Among them, the manufacture of adsorbents to remove metals from water and wastewater appears to be promising, also considering the high cost of commercial carbons. In this paper copper, zinc and cadmium removal from wastewater using adsorbents produced from pyrolysis of sewage sludge is investigated in comparison with commercial adsorbents. The kinetic of the pyrolytic process was studied, and the adsorbents produced under different pyrolysis conditions were characterized. The adsorption capacity of the pyrolyzed material were estimated in batch tests performed in an activated sludge reactor. Results show that the adsorbent materials obtained by sewage sludge pyrolysis increased organic matter removal in activated sludge systems, and limited the inhibition effects of heavy metals. In addition, a chemical activation of the sludge before the pyrolysis resulted in an increase of the adsorption capacity of the obtained adsorbent.

Biological denitrification of high-nitrate wastewaters: A comparison between three electron donors

Wastewaters discharged by several industrial activities, such as synthetic fibers, mineral processing, fertilizers, metal finishing, and ammunitions and explosives industries, have an high-salinity content and are characterized by a very high concentration of nitrates (more than 3 g/L). The treatment of these wastewaters generally deals in an anoxic biological process performed in activated sludge reactors (ASR). Due to the practical absence of an organic component, the treatment involves the addition of an external source of carbon, as electron donor for denitrification reactions. In addition, explosives industries wastewaters are characterized by low pH (2-3), since nitrates are generally discharged as nitric acid, and this induces a further difficulty in reactor operation, due to the extreme sensitivity of denitrifying biomass to pH conditions. In this paper the results of an experimentation performed in a laboratory scale anoxic ASR treating a highnitrate wastewater, simulating the explosives and ammunitions industries wastewaters, are presented and discussed. Three different carbon sources (methanol, acetic acid and sucrose) were compared, and the conditions to achieve the maximum removal of nitrogen were assessed. The ratio C:N to be maintained in the reactor to optimize cell growth and denitrification rate was also investigated.

Recalcitrant organic matter removal from textile wastewater by an aerobic cell-immobilized pellet column

The treatment of textile wastewater is difficult because of its recalcitrant organic content. The biological removal of recalcitrant organics requires a long retention time for microbial growth. Activated sludge was immobilized in a polyethylene glycol pellet to allow for sufficient sludge retention time. The pellets were filled in an aerobic cell-immobilized pellet column (CIPC) reactor in order to investigate the removal of recalcitrant organics from textile wastewater. A textile wastewater effluent treated by a conventional activated sludge reactor was used as a target wastewater. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of the aerobic CIPC reactor at various empty bed contact times was in the range of 42.2-60.5%. Half of the input COD was removed in the lower part (bottom 25% of the reactor volume) of the reactor when the organic loading rate was less than 1.5 kg COD/(m(3)•d). About 15-30% of the input COD was removed in the remaining part of the column reactor. The COD removed in this region was limitedly biodegradable. The biodegradation of recalcitrant organics could be carried out by the interactional functions of the various bacteria consortia by using a cell-immobilization process. The CIPC process could effectively treat textile wastewater using a short retention time because the microorganisms that degrade limitedly biodegradable organics were dominant in the reactor.

Application of cigarette filter rods as biofilm carrier in an integrated fixed-film activated sludge reactor

Bio-carriers are an important component of integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) processes. In this study, the capability of cigarette filter rods (CFRs) as a bio-carrier in IFAS processes was evaluated. Two similar laboratory-scale IFAS systems were operated over a 4-month period using Kaldnes-K3 and CFRs as IFAS media. The process performance was studied by using chemical oxygen demand (COD). The organic loading rate was in the range 0.5-2.8 kgCOD/(m(3)·d). The COD average removal efficiencies were 89.3 and 93.9% for Kaldnes-K3 (reactor A) and cigarette filters (reactor B), respectively. The results demonstrate that the performance of the IFAS reactor containing CFRs was comparable to the reactor using Kaldnes. The CFRs, which have a high porous surface area and entrapment ability for microbial cells, could be successfully used in biofilm reactors as a bio-carrier.

Removal and degradation characteristics of quinolone antibiotics in laboratory-scale activated sludge reactors under aerobic, nitrifying and anoxic conditions

This work describes the removal of 6 quinolone antibiotics from wastewaters under different redox conditions (aerobic, nitrifying and anoxic) through batch experiments in laboratory scale activated sludge reactors using mixed liquor from a membrane bioreactor pilot plant (MBR). The main removal pathways for antibiotics from wastewaters involved in each treatment are described. Mass balances indicated that sorption on sludge played a dominating role in the elimination of antibiotics. Sorption potential depended on the redox conditions, being lower in nitrifying (Kd, 414–876 L kg−1) and anoxic (Kd, 471–930 L kg−1) sludge in comparison with aerobic sludge (Kd, 534–1137 L kg−1). Kd was higher for piperazinylic quinolones. Redox conditions also influenced biodegradation, a secondary pathway, which followed first-order kinetics with degradation rates constants ranging from 1.8·10−3 to 8.2·10−3 h−1. Biodegradation rates under anoxic conditions were negligible. The experimental results have also demonstrated much higher removal efficiency by biodegradation (36.2–60.0%) under nitrifying conditions in comparison with aerobic conditions (14.9–43.8%). The addition of allylthiourea, an ammonia monooxygenase inhibitor, inhibited nitrification completely and reduced significantly the biodegradation of target antibiotics (16.5–29.3%). The residual biodegradation in the presence of allylthiourea may be due to the activity of heterotrophs in the enriched nitrifier culture. The removal of the selected antibiotics under the studied redox conditions depended significantly on the bacteria composition of the sludge. These results suggest that despite the known persistence of this group of antibiotics it is possible to enhance their degradation using nitrifying conditions, which at adequate working conditions as high SRT, typical in MBR, become a promising alternative for improving quinolones removal from environment.

Optimal design of an activated sludge plant: theoretical analysis

The design procedure of an activated sludge plant consisting of an activated sludge reactor and settling tank has been theoretically analyzed assuming that (1) the Monod equation completely describes the growth kinetics of microorganisms causing the degradation of biodegradable pollutants and (2) the settling characteristics are fully described by a power law. For a given reactor height, the design parameter of the reactor (reactor volume) is reduced to the reactor area. Then the sum total area of the reactor and the settling tank is expressed as a function of activated sludge concentration X and the recycled ratio α. A procedure has been developed to calculate Xopt, for which the total required area of the plant is minimum for given microbiological system and recycled ratio. Mathematical relations have been derived to calculate the α-range in which Xopt meets the requirements of F/M ratio. Results of the analysis have been illustrated for varying X and α. Mathematical formulae have been proposed to recalculate the recycled ratio in the events, when the influent parameters differ from those assumed in the design.

Mass balance and transformation of heavy metals in an activated sludge reactor integrating aquatic worms

ABSTRACTReactors containing aquatic worms can reduce waste sludge via biological predation by the worms; however, changes in the heavy metals in such reactors could influence the wastewater treatment. The objective of this study is to investigate the mass balance and the transformation of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in a wastewater treatment system with aquatic worms. In the aquatic worm reactor, the concentrations of heavy metals in the waste sludge increased remarkably, while the total contents changed only slightly. The concentrations and total contents increased to a lesser extent in aquatic worms, while no significant change in these factors was observed in the effluent. As a result, in the activated sludge reactor integrating aquatic worms, the heavy metals in the sludge accounted for a large portion of the overall content (84.7–97.5%) and the residue of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn in the final sludge increased to 36.0, 60.4, 97.2, 94.8, 98.2, 46.9, and 85.5%, respectively, indicating that the...

Effect of sludge retention time on membrane bio-fouling using different type and pore size of membranes in a submerged membrane bioreactor

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of sludge retention time (SRT) on membrane bio-fouling. An activated sludge reactor was operated at three different SRTs (10, 30, and 50 days). Submerged membrane experiments were performed when the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration reached the steady state conditions. MLSS concentrations reached the steady state at 3,109 ± 194, 6,209 ± 123 and 6,609 ± 280 mg/L for SRTs of 10, 30 and 50 days, respectively. The total soluble microbial products (SMP) were 20.1 ± 3.7, 16.2 ± 7.2 and 28.2 ± 8.4 mg/L at SRTs of 10, 30, and 50 days, respectively. The carbohydrate concentration in the supernatant was about two times more for SRT of 10 days than that for 50 days. The total amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from the flocs were approximately 74.9 ± 11.9, 67.8 ± 15.0 and 67.5 ± 17.4 mg/g MLSS at three SRTs (10, 30, and 50 days) under the same organic loading rate. The viscosity of the biomass increased with the increasing SRT. The results of flux stepping tests showed that the membrane fouling at SRT 10 days was always higher than that of 30 and 50 days. Four different microfiltration membranes (cellulose acetate, polyethersulfone, mixed ester, and polycarbonate) with three different pore sizes (0.45, 0.22, 0.10 μm) were tested. Filtration resistances were determined for each membrane. Cake resistance was observed to be the most significant fouling mechanism for all membranes.

Effects of Powdered Kenaf Supplementation on the Performance of Lab-Scale Activated Sludge Reactors

Effects of Powdered Kenaf Supplementation on the Performance of Lab-Scale Activated Sludge Reactors

Comparison Between Continuous and Batch Flow Activated Sludge Reactor to Remove Nitrate and Phosphate From Domestic Wastewater

In this paper a comparison between continuous and batch flow activated sludge reactor to remove nitrate and phosphate from domestic wastewater, tow bench scale units was operated one work as continuous reactor and the second as batch reactor, the raw wastewater brought up from one of the lifting pump stations in Tikrit city and pass it throw metal screen to prevent floating materials from entering the units. The results shows the batch flow reactor followed by mixing without aeration is the best in bring down total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity and salinity while the best removal of nitrate 63.5% and chemical oxygen demand 91.85% achieved in batch flow reactor. The best removal of phosphate is 96% achieved in batch flow reactor with mixing only before the aeration. the batch flow reactor and the batch flow reactor followed by mixing give the best settling characteristic of sludge, while the pH don’t affected by the flow regime.

Co-treatment of acid mine drainage with municipal wastewater: performance evaluation

Co-treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) with municipal wastewater (MWW) using the activated sludge process is a novel treatment technology offering potential savings over alternative systems in materials, proprietary chemicals and energy inputs. The impacts of AMD on laboratory-scale activated sludge units (plug-flow and sequencing batch reactors) treating synthetic MWW were investigated. Synthetic AMD containing Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and SO4 at a range of concentrations and pH values was formulated to simulate three possible co-treatment processes, i.e., (1) adding raw AMD to the activated sludge aeration tank, (2) pre-treating AMD prior to adding to the aeration tank by mixing with digested sludge and (3) pre-treating AMD by mixing with screened MWW. Continuous AMD loading to the activated sludge reactors during co-treatment did not cause a significant decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, or total organic carbon removal; average COD removal rates ranged from 87-93%. Enhanced phosphate removal was observed in reactors loaded with Fe- and Al-rich AMD, with final effluent TP concentrations<2 mg/L. Removal rates for dissolved Al, Cu, Fe and Pb were 52-84%, 47-61%, 74-86% and 100%, respectively, in both systems. Manganese and Zn removal were strongly linked to acidity; removal from net-acidic AMD was <10% for both metals, whereas removal from circum-neutral AMD averaged 93-95% for Mn and 58-90% for Zn. Pre-mixing with screened MWW was the best process option in terms of AMD neutralization and metal removal. However, significant MWW alkalinity was consumed, suggesting an alkali supplement may be necessary.

Bacterial Population Dynamics in a Laboratory Activated Sludge Reactor Monitored by Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA

The microbial population in a laboratory activated sludge reactor was monitored for 245 d at 75 time points by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA. Synthetic wastewater was used as the influent, and the reactor was operated under the same conditions throughout the experiment. The behaviors of different bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were observed. Multiple OTUs showed periodic propagation and recession. One of the OTUs showed sharp recession, which suggests that cells in the OTU were selectively killed. The behaviors of different phylogenetic lineages of Candidatus ‘Accumulibacter phosphatis’ were also visualized. It was clearly demonstrated that pyrosequencing with barcoded primers is a very effective tool to clarify the dynamics of the bacterial population in activated sludge.

Dynamics of dewaterability and bacterial populations in activated sludge

Relationships of bacterial populations and extracellular polymer substances (EPS) to dewaterability of activated sludge were studied on three laboratory-scale activated sludge reactors fed with synthetic wastewater. Dewaterability of activated sludge was evaluated by a novel method developed by the authors, in which small amount of sludge was centrifugally dewatered, and its water content was measured. Bacterial populations during the reactor operation were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction/terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/T-RFLP) targeted at a partial 16S rRNA gene. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were extracted using cation exchange resin (CER), and polysaccharides and total protein in EPS were determined. Some of the dominant terminal-restriction fragments (T-RFs) were observed to have significant relationships with dewaterability of sludge, and it was suggested that bacterial species corresponding to those peaks significantly affected dewaterability. On the other hand, significant relationships were not found between EPS concentration and dewaterability of sludge.