RESUMO
Anaerobic sewage treatment is a proven technology in warm climate regions, and sponge-bed trickling filters (SBTFs) are an important post-treatment technology to remove residual organic carbon and nitrogen. Even though SBTFs can achieve a reasonably good effluent quality, further process optimization is hampered by a lack of mechanistic understanding of the factors influencing nitrogen removal, notably when it comes to mainstream anaerobically treated sewage. In this study, the factors that control the performance of SBTFs following anaerobic (i.e., UASB) reactors for sewage treatment were investigated. A demo-scale SBTF fed with anaerobically pre-treated sewage was monitored for 300 days, showing a median nitrification efficiency of 79% and a median total nitrogen removal efficiency of 26%. Heterotrophic denitrification was limited by the low organic carbon content of the anaerobic effluent. It was demonstrated that nitrification was impaired by a lack of inorganic carbon rather than by alkalinity limitation. To properly describe inorganic carbon limitation in models, bicarbonate was added as a state variable and sigmoidal kinetics were applied. The resulting model was able to capture the overall long-term experimental behaviour. There was no nitrite accumulation, which indicated that nitrite oxidizing bacteria were little or less affected by the inorganic carbon limitation. Overall, this study indicated the vital role of influent characteristics and operating conditions concerning nitrogen conversions in SBTFs treating anaerobic effluent, thus facilitating further process optimization.
Assuntos
Desnitrificação , Nitrogênio , Anaerobiose , Reatores Biológicos , Carbono , Nitrificação , Nitrogênio/análise , Esgotos , Eliminação de Resíduos LíquidosRESUMO
There are hundreds of full-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors in operation in various parts of the tropical world, notably in India and Latin America, Brazil being the holder of the largest park of anaerobic reactors for sewage treatment in the world. Despite the recognized advantages of UASB reactors, there are problems that have prevented their maximum operational performance. Neglecting the existence and delaying the solution of these challenges can jeopardize the important advances made to date, impacting the future of anaerobic technology in Brazil and in other countries. This work aims to evaluate the operational performance of five full-scale UASB reactors in Brazil, taking into account a monitoring period ranging between two and six years. The main observed design, construction, and operational constraints are discussed. Some outlooks for important upcoming developments are also provided, considering that most of the observed drawbacks can be tackled without significant increases on reactor costs.
Assuntos
Esgotos , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos , Anaerobiose , Reatores Biológicos , Brasil , ÍndiaRESUMO
This work assessed the energy potential and alternative usages of biogas and sludge generated in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors at the Laboreaux sewage treatment plant (STP), Brazil. Two scenarios were considered: (i) priority use of biogas for the thermal drying of dehydrated sludge and the use of the excess biogas for electricity generation in an ICE (internal combustion engine); and (ii) priority use of biogas for electricity generation and the use of the heat of the engine exhaust gases for the thermal drying of the sludge. Scenario 1 showed that the electricity generated is able to supply 22.2% of the STP power demand, but the thermal drying process enables a greater reduction or even elimination of the final volume of sludge to be disposed. In Scenario 2, the electricity generated is able to supply 57.6% of the STP power demand; however, the heat in the exhaust gases is not enough to dry the total amount of dehydrated sludge.
Assuntos
Biocombustíveis , Reatores Biológicos , Gases , Esgotos/química , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/métodos , Águas Residuárias/química , Brasil , Temperatura Alta , Instalações de Eliminação de ResíduosRESUMO
Changes in ammonia-oxidizing bacterial (AOB) population dynamics were examined in a new sponge-based trickling filter (TF) post-upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor by denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and these changes were linked to relevant components influencing nitrification (chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen (N)). The sponge-based packing media caused strong concentration gradients along the TF, providing an ecological selection of AOB within the system. The organic loading rate (OLR) affected the population dynamics, and under higher OLR or low ammonium-nitrogen (NH4(+)-N) concentrations some AOB bands disappeared, but maintaining the overall community function for NH4(+)-N removal. The dominant bands present in the upper portions of the TF were closely related to Nitrosomonas europaea and distantly affiliated to Nitrosomonas eutropha, and thus were adapted to higher NH4(+)-N and organic matter concentrations. In the lower portions of the TF, the dominant bands were related to Nitrosomonas oligotropha, commonly found in environments with low levels of NH4(+)-N. From a technology point of view, changes in AOB structure at OLR around 0.40-0.60 kgCOD m(-3) d(-1) did not affect TF performance for NH4(+)-N removal, but AOB diversity may have been correlated with the noticeable stability of the sponge-based TF for NH4(+)-N removal at low OLR. This study is relevant because molecular biology was used to observe important features of a bioreactor, considering realistic operational conditions applied to UASB/sponge-based TF systems.
Assuntos
Amônia/metabolismo , Reatores Biológicos/microbiologia , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/instrumentação , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/métodos , Amônia/química , Biomassa , Eletroforese em Gel de Gradiente Desnaturante , Nitrificação , Nitrosomonas/genética , Nitrosomonas/isolamento & purificação , Nitrosomonas/metabolismo , Oxirredução , Filogenia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Esgotos/química , Águas Residuárias/químicaRESUMO
The paper compares the performance of two trickling filters (TFs) filled with plastic- or sponge-based packing media treating the effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. The UASB reactor was operated with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 1.2 kgCOD m(-3) d(-1), and the OLR applied to the TFs was 0.30-0.65 kgCOD m(-3) d(-1) (COD: chemical oxygen demand). The sponge-based packing medium (Rotosponge) gave substantially better performance for ammonia, total-N, and organic matter removal. The superior TF-Rotosponge performance for NH(4)(+)-N removal (80-95%) can be attributed to its longer biomass and hydraulic retention times (SRT and HRT), as well as enhancements in oxygen mass transfer by dispersion and advection inside the sponges. Nitrogen removals were significant (15 mgN L(-1)) in TF-Rotosponge when the OLRs were close to 0.75 kgCOD m(-3) d(-1), due to denitrification that was related to solids hydrolysis in the sponge interstices. For biochemical oxygen demand removal, higher HRT and SRT were especially important because the UASB removed most of the readily biodegradable organic matter. The new configuration of the sponge-based packing medium called Rotosponge can enhance the feasibility of scaling-up the UASB/TF treatment, including when retrofitting is necessary.
Assuntos
Reatores Biológicos , Plásticos , Anaerobiose , Análise da Demanda Biológica de Oxigênio , Nitrificação , Nitrogênio/isolamento & purificação , EsgotosRESUMO
A small unit of cogeneration of energy and heat was tested at the Centre for Research and Training on Sanitation UFMG/COPASA - CePTS, located at the Arrudas Sewage Treatment Plant, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The unit consisted of an engine power generator adapted to run on biogas, a thermal dryer prototype and other peripherals (compressor, biogas storage tank, air blower, etc.). The heat from engine power generator exhaust gases was directed towards the thermal dryer prototype to dry the sludge and disinfect it. The results showed that the experimental apparatus is self-sufficient in electricity, even producing a surplus, available for other uses. The tests of drying and disinfection of sludge lasted 7 h, leading to an increase in solids content from 4 to 8% (50% reduction in sludge volume). Although the drying of sludge was not possible (only thickening was achieved), the disinfection process proved very effective, enabling the complete inactivation of helminth eggs.
Assuntos
Fontes de Energia Bioelétrica , Biocombustíveis , Temperatura Alta , Esgotos , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/métodos , Reatores Biológicos , Água , Purificação da ÁguaRESUMO
This work investigated the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in raw sewage (from Belo Horizonte city, Minas Gerais state, Brazil) and assessed their behavior in demo-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors (UASB reactors) operated at different hydraulic retention times (HRT). The dissolved concentration of the studied micropollutants in the raw and treated sewage was obtained using solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by analysis in a liquid chromatography system coupled to a hybrid high resolution mass spectrometer consisting of an ion-trap and time of flight (LC-MS-IT-TOF). The natural (estradiol) and synthetic (ethinylestradiol) estrogens were hardly detected; when present, however, their concentrations were lower than the method quantification limits. The concentrations of bisphenol A and miconazole in raw sewage were similar to that reported in the literature (around 200 ng L⻹ and hardly detected, respectively). The antibiotics sulfamethoxazole (median 13.0 ng L⻹) and trimethoprim (median 61.5 ng L⻹), and the other pharmaceutical compounds (diclofenac and bezafibrate, with median 99.9 and 94.4 ng L⻹, respectively) were found in lower concentrations when compared with reports in the literature, which might indicate a lower consumption of such drugs in Brazil. The UASB reactors were inefficient in the removal of bisphenol A, and led to an increased concentration of nonylphenol in the effluent. The anaerobic reactors were also inefficient in the removal of diclofenac, and led to a partial removal of bezafibrate; whereas, for sulfamethoxazole there seemed to be a direct relationship between the HRT and removal efficiencies. For trimethoprim the sludge retention time (SRT) seemed to play an important role, although it was only partially removed in the UASB reactors.
Assuntos
Reatores Biológicos , Disruptores Endócrinos/análise , Preparações Farmacêuticas/análise , Reologia , Esgotos/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Anaerobiose , Biodegradação Ambiental , Brasil , Cromatografia Líquida , Chuva , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Fatores de Tempo , Eliminação de Resíduos LíquidosRESUMO
The present work aimed at investigating biomass selection in a pilot-scale double-stage biogas collection (DSBC) upflow anaerobic sludge bed (USAB) reactor treating domestic wastewater. Specific methanogenic activity (SMA) measurements and FISH countings were applied to sludge samples collected during 102 days of operation of the DSBC-UASB and of a control reactor. Results showed that both reactors presented similar SMA values in early stages of operation however the UASB-DSBC reactor showed much higher SMA after day 45, when the biomass was in granular stage. In terms of archaeal abundance, no statistical difference was observed between the reactors. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) revealed a similar composition of the archaeal communities in the two reactors and during the operational period, mainly constituted by Methanosaeta concilii. The results suggest that cell activity rather than archaeal abundance or diversity drive the methane production in the UASB reactors.
Assuntos
Archaea/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Biodiversidade , Biocombustíveis/microbiologia , Biomassa , Reatores Biológicos/microbiologia , Metano/metabolismo , Esgotos/microbiologia , Anaerobiose , Archaea/genética , DNA Ribossômico/genética , Eletroforese em Gel de Gradiente Desnaturante , Projetos Piloto , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Reologia , VolatilizaçãoRESUMO
This work aimed at developing a mathematical model that could estimate more precisely the fraction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) recovered as methane in the biogas and which, effectively, represented the potential for energy recovery in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors treating domestic wastewater. The model sought to include all routes of conversion and losses in the reactor, including the portion of COD used for the reduction of sulfates and the loss of methane in the residual gas and dissolved in the effluent. Results from the production of biogas in small- and large-scale UASB reactors were used to validate the model. The results showed that the model allowed a more realistic estimate of biogas production and of its energy potential.
Assuntos
Reatores Biológicos , Características da Família , Metano/análise , Águas Residuárias/química , Purificação da Água/instrumentação , Purificação da Água/métodos , Anaerobiose , Biocombustíveis/análise , Análise da Demanda Biológica de Oxigênio , Brasil , Simulação por Computador , Modelos Químicos , Análise de Regressão , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Reologia , Esgotos/química , Termodinâmica , Eliminação de Resíduos LíquidosRESUMO
This study aimed at the identification of microorganisms present in the scum layer of the settler compartment of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors, and to evaluate their role in the biological oxidation of sulphides. The experiments were conducted using scum samples taken from two pilot-scale UASB reactors, both treating domestic wastewater. Microorganisms similar to Beggiatoa sp., Thiotrix sp. and species of cyanobacteria were identified based on their morphology, and most of them have been shown to be capable of carrying out sulphur oxidation. Tests of biological oxidation of sulphides using scum and cultures of the cyanobacteria Phormidium and Pseudoanabaena showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of the sulphides, suggesting that the microorganisms present in the scum layer can play a role in the minimization of odour emissions.