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A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
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Different bioreactors for treating secondary effluent from recycled paper mill
Fangrui Cai1, Lirong Lei1, Youming Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
The Science of the Total Environment
|March 3, 2019
Summary
This study evaluated bioreactors for treating paper mill effluent. The sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) showed the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency, suggesting its potential for recalcitrant compound removal.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Paper mill secondary effluent often contains poorly biodegradable and recalcitrant compounds.
- Effective treatment methods are needed to address the challenges posed by this type of industrial wastewater.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of different bioreactor configurations in treating paper mill secondary effluent.
- To assess the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP).
- To investigate the role of microbial communities in recalcitrant compound removal.
Main Methods:
- Four bioreactors were employed: a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR), a stirred-tank reactor (STR), and two submerged aeration reactors (SAR1 and SAR2).
- Treatment performance was evaluated based on COD, TN, and TP removal efficiencies.
- Microbial analysis of sludge was conducted to identify unique microorganisms.
Main Results:
- The SBBR achieved the highest COD removal efficiency (39.7%), followed by STR (30.9%) and SAR1 (15.7%). SAR2 treatment resulted in an increase in COD.
- All bioreactor treatments led to an increase in TN and TP, indicating endogenous respiration of biomass.
- Microbial analysis suggested a link between unique microorganisms in SBBR and STR and the removal of recalcitrant compounds.
Conclusions:
- The SBBR demonstrated the most effective removal of COD and recalcitrant compounds from paper mill effluent.
- The presence of specific microbial communities appears crucial for the efficient degradation of recalcitrant substances.
- Further research into microbial ecology is warranted for optimizing bioreactor performance in industrial wastewater treatment.
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