Related Experiment Videos
Aerobic granulation in a sequencing batch airlift reactor
J J Beun1, M C M van Loosdrecht, J J Heijnen
1Kluyverlaboratory for Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.
Water Research
|February 8, 2002
Summary
Aerobic granular sludge rapidly formed in a sequencing batch airlift reactor (SBAR). This stable, dense granular sludge exhibited excellent settling properties, outperforming biofilms in a continuous-feed reactor.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Wastewater treatment technologies
- Bioreactor design
Background:
- Conventional wastewater treatment often uses suspended activated sludge.
- Developing dense, rapidly settling biomass is crucial for efficient treatment.
- Sequencing batch airlift reactors (SBARs) offer potential for enhanced biomass granulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To cultivate aerobic granular sludge in an intensely mixed SBAR.
- To characterize the properties of the developed granular sludge.
- To compare the performance of an intermittently fed SBAR with a continuously fed biofilm airlift suspension reactor (BASR).
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of aerobic granular sludge in a sequencing batch airlift reactor (SBAR).
- Application of a COD loading of 2.5 kg Acetate-COD/(m3 d).
- Comparison of SBAR performance with a continuously fed biofilm airlift suspension reactor (BASR).
Main Results:
- Granules formed within one week of inoculation.
- Stable granular sludge achieved an average diameter of 2.5 mm and settling rate > 10 m/h.
- SBAR granular sludge exhibited significantly higher density than BASR biofilms, attributed to intermittent feeding.
Conclusions:
- Intensely mixed SBARs effectively cultivate stable aerobic granular sludge.
- Intermittent feeding in SBARs promotes higher biomass density compared to continuous feeding in BASRs.
- Aerobic granular sludge offers a promising solution for efficient wastewater treatment.