Release of formaldehyde during the biofiltration of methanol vapors in a peat biofilter inoculated with Pichia pastoris GS115

BACKGROUND: Methanol can be effectively removed from air by biofiltration (Shareefdeen et al., 1993; Babbitt et al., 2009 [1,2]). However, formaldehyde is one of the first metabolic intermediates in the consumption of methanol in methylotrophic microorganisms (Negruta et al., 2010 [3]), and it can be released out of the cell constituting a secondary emission. RESULTS: The total removal of methanol was achieved up to input loads of 263 g m−3 h−1 and the maximum elimination capacity of the system was obtained at an empty bed residence times of 90 s and reached 330 g m−3 h−1 at an input methanol load of 414 g m−3 h−1 and 80% of removal efficiency. Formaldehyde was detected inside the biofilter when the input methanol load was above 212 g m−3 h−1 . Biomass in the filter bed was able to degrade the formaldehyde generated, but with the increase of the methanol input load, the unconsumed formaldehyde was released outside the biofilter. The maximum concentration registered at the output of the system was 3.98 g m−3 when the methanol load was 672 g m−3 h−1 in an empty bed residence times of 60 s. CONCLUSIONS: Formaldehyde is produced inside a biofilter when methanol is treated in a biofiltration system inoculated with Pichia pastoris. Biomass present in the reactor is capable of degrading the formaldehyde generated as the concentration of methanol decreases. However, high methanol loads can lead to the generation and release of formaldehyde into the environment.

Tratamento combinado de lixiviado de aterro sanitário e lodo de fossa séptica com emprego de geobag: estudo de laboratório e de campo / Combined treatment of landfill leachate and septic tank sludge using geobag: laboratory and field study

RESUMO Neste trabalho, são apresentados os resultados do desempenho de dois sistemas de tratamento combinado de lixiviado de aterros sanitários e lodos de fossas. Na escala de laboratório, empregou-se um geobag de pequenas dimensões e um filtro biológico de percolação a jusante dele. Na escala real, investigou-se o desempenho de uma unidade de tratamento constituída de geobag seguido de lagoas de estabilização e wetland. Em ambos os estudos, empregou-se relação volumétrica de 4:1 (lodo de fossa:lixiviado) e adicionou-se floculante à mistura antes de sua alimentação no geobag. As remoções obtidas na unidade de campo foram superiores às alcançadas em laboratório para os parâmetros carbono orgânico dissolvido (COD) e sólidos em suspensão totais, cujas remoções foram superiores a 50 e a 95%, respectivamente. A remoção de nitrogênio amoniacal, entretanto, foi maior na instalação de bancada (68%). O desempenho desses sistemas de tratamento com relação à toxicidade para os organismos-teste Aliivibriofischeri, Daphniasimillis e Daniorerio também foi investigado.

ABSTRACT This paper presents the performance results of two combined landfill leachate and sewage sludge treatment systems. In the laboratory scale, a small geobag was followed by a trickling filter. In the real scale, the performance of a geobag treatment unit followed by stabilization and wetland lagoons was investigated. In both studies, a 4:1 volumetric ratio (pit sludge: leachate) was employed and flocculant was added to the mixture prior to feeding in the geobag. The field unit removals were higher than those obtained in the laboratory for the following parameters: dissolved organic carbon and suspended solids, whose removals were greater than 50 and 95%, respectively. Ammonium nitrogen was removed at higher percentages in the lab-scale unit (68%). The performance of both treatment units regarding toxicity to Aliivibriofischeri, Daphnia simillis and Danio rerio organisms was also investigated.

Remoção de algas em um sistema de biofiltros submersos / Removal of algae in a submerse biofilter system

RESUMO Esta pesquisa propôs o desenvolvimento de um sistema de biofiltros submersos (SBS), modificados com base na configuração de filtros de pedra, visando ao pós-tratamento do efluente de lagoas de estabilização, inicialmente para a remoção de algas. Foram implantados 2 conjuntos de biofiltros submersos para captar esgoto tratado de duas diferentes profundidades de uma lagoa de maturação - a 60 cm (em uma zona dessa lagoa chamada superficial - ZS) e a 180 cm (em outra zona dessa lagoa chamada intermediária - ZI). Foi utilizada, como recheio dos biofiltros submersos, pedra brita nº 3, nas seguintes alturas de leito filtrante: 50, 100, 150 e 200 cm, tendo por objetivo avaliar a influência desse fator sobre a eficiência de remoção de algas mediante análise de clorofila A e outras 16 variáveis de qualidade associadas neste estudo. Obtiveram-se eficiências para demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) no intervalo de 65 a 80% para ZS e, para ZI, os resultados dessa eficiência tiveram muita variação, sem estabilidade - de forma prática, portanto, o ponto de coleta na ZI mostrou-se não recomendado. Quando às eficiências para clorofila A, para ZS, o intervalo alcançado variou de 65 a 99% e, para ZI, esses resultados foram inferiores aos da ZS. Concluiu-se que a extração a partir da zona superficial da lagoa de maturação e uma profundidade de leito entre 150 e 200 cm foram os parâmetros operacionais que levaram a um melhor desempenho global dos biofiltros submersos modificados e, mais especificamente, quanto às seguintes variáveis: DQO, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO), clorofila A e sólidos totais.

ABSTRACT This research proposed the development of a submerged biofilters system, modified based on the configuration of rock filters, aiming at the effluent post-treatment of stabilization lagoons, initially for algae removal. Two sets of submerged biofilters were implemented to collect treated sewage from two different depths of a maturation lagoon - at 60 cm (in a zone of this lagoon called superficial-SZ) and at 180 cm (in a zone of this lagoon called intermediary-IZ). It was used, as filling of submerged biofilters, gravel No. 3, at filtering layers heights of: 50, 100, 150 and 200 cm, aiming to evaluate the influence of this factor over algae removal efficiency toward chlorophyll a, and other 16 quality variables associated in this study. For SZ, efficiencies were obtained for COD in the range of 65 to 80%, and for IZ the efficiency results had a lot of variation, without stability, in a practical way, so the collection point in ZI was not recommended. For SZ efficiencies were obtained for chlorophyll a in the range of 65 to 99%, and for IZ the efficiency results were lower than those of SZ. It was concluded that the collecting from superficial zone of the maturation lagoon, and a layer depth between 150 and 200 cm, were the operational parameters that led to a better overall performance of the modified submerged biofilters, and more particularly to: COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), chlorophyll a, and total solids.

Release of formaldehyde during the biofiltration of methanol vapors in a peat biofilter inoculated with Pichia pastoris GS115

Background: Methanol can be effectively removed from air by biofiltration. However, formaldehyde is one of the first metabolic intermediates in the consumption of methanol in methylotrophic microorganisms, and it can be released out of the cell constituting a secondary emission. Results: The total removal of methanol was achieved up to input loads of 263 g m−3 h−1 and the maximum elimination capacity of the system was obtained at an empty bed residence times of 90 s and reached 330 g m− 3 h−1 at an input methanol load of 414 g m−3 h−1 and 80% of removal efficiency. Formaldehyde was detected inside the biofilter when the input methanol load was above 212 g m−3 h−1 . Biomass in the filter bed was able to degrade the formaldehyde generated, but with the increase of the methanol input load, the unconsumed formaldehyde was released outside the biofilter. The maximum concentration registered at the output of the system was 3.98 g m−3 when the methanol load was 672 g m−3 h−1 in an empty bed residence times of 60 s. Conclusions: Formaldehyde is produced inside a biofilter when methanol is treated in a biofiltration system inoculated with Pichia pastoris. Biomass present in the reactor is capable of degrading the formaldehyde generated as the concentration of methanol decreases. However, high methanol loads can lead to the generation and release of formaldehyde into the environment

Degradação de formaldeído tratado em conjunto com esgoto sanitário em sistema combinado anaeróbio-aeróbio / Degradation of formaldehyde treated in conjunction with municipal sewage in combined anaerobic-aerobic system

O estudo visou a investigação da degradação de formaldeído em um sistema combinado anaeróbio-aeróbio, de fluxo ascendente e com biomassa imobilizada, constituindo-se por um filtro anaeróbio seguido de biofiltro aerado submerso. As concentrações de formaldeído aplicadas ao sistema variaram de 26 a 1.055 mg HCHO.L-1, resultando em eficiências de remoção de formaldeído de 97±3% e de DQO de 90±6%. A partir dos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o sistema combinado se apresentou adequado para o tratamento de esgoto sanitário contendo formaldeído, uma vez que além de eficiências de remoção representativas, apresentou estabilidade de operação durante o decorrer do estudo.

The study aimed to investigate the degradation of formaldehyde in an anaerobic-aerobic combined system, upflow and with immobilized biomass, consisting of an Anaerobic Filter (AF) followed by Aerated Submerged Biofilter (ASB). The concentrations of formaldehyde applied to the system ranged from 26 to 1,055 mg HCHO.L-1, resulted in a removal efficiency of formaldehyde of 97±3% and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 90±6%. From the results, it is concluded that the combined system was suitable for treating wastewater containing formaldehyde, since besides representative removal efficiencies; operation was stable during the course of the study.

Remoção de nitrogênio em sistema combinado anóxico-aeróbio com biomassa imobilizada / Nitrogen removal in combined anoxic-aerobic system with imobilized biomass

Este trabalho visa estudar o desempenho de um sistema combinado na remoção de matéria orgânica e nitrogênio de esgoto sanitário, por meio da recirculação interna do efluente. Os reatores, em escala de bancada, foram: filtro anóxico (32,6 L), biofiltro aerado submerso (17,6 L) e decantador secundário (7,2 L). As razões de recirculação foram 0,5; 1,5; 2,0 e 4,0 sem adição de carbono externo ou alcalinizante. Na razão de recirculação de 4,0 foram aplicadas taxas de carregamento orgânico e de nitrogênio ao sistema de 0,7±0,3 Kg DQO.m-3.d-1 e 0,08±0,02 kg N-NH4 +.m-3.d-1, atingindo remoções de demanda química de oxigênio e nitrogênio total de 92±4% e 83±8%, respectivamente. Os resultados mostram viabilidade do uso da recirculação do efluente, uma vez que as concentrações finais de nitrogênio total (12±3 mg N.L-1) estão abaixo do valor estipulado pela Resolução CONAMA nº 430/2011.

This work aims to study the performance of a combined system in the removal of organic matter and nitrogen from sanitary sewage through internal recirculation of the effluent. The bench scale reactors were: anoxic filter (32.6 L), submerged aerated biofilter (17.6 L) and secondary settler (7.2 L). The recirculation rates were 0.5; 1.5; 2.0 and 4.0 without added external-carbon or alkalising. In 4.0 recirculation rate, the organic and nitrogen loading rates applied to the system were 0.7±0.3 kg chemical oxygen demand.m-3.d-1 and 0.08±0.02 kg N-NH4 +.m-3.d-1, reaching removals of chemical oxygen demand and total nitrogen of 92±4% and 83±8%, respectively. The results show the feasibility of using recirculation of effluent, once the final concentrations of total nitrogen (12±3 mg.L-1) are below the value stipulated by CONAMA Resolution nº 430/2011.

Treatment of Wastewaters Generated by Surfactant-Enhanced Washing of Soils in an Aerobic Biofilter Inoculated with a Consortium of Hydrocarbon Degraders.

Aims: The aims of this work were 1) To evaluate the performance of a submerged biofiltration system for the treatment of a surfactant-enriched wastewater that had been generated by a soil washing process. 2) To evaluate the effect of the flux and organic load over the performance of the system. 3) To determine the microbial evolution as an effect of the flux at different lengths of the biofilter by using a denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Study Design: A three factorial design was used to evaluate the effect of different fluxes and organic loads over the performance of a continuously operated submerged aerobic biofilter. The DGGE technique was employed to determine microbial changes in the biofilter. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Bioprocess Laboratory, Bioprocesses Department UPIBI-IPN, Mexico. The experimental stage lasted approximately eight months and the DGGE analysis four months more. Methodology: Contaminated soil was physicochemical and microbiologically characterized. A total of 70 kg of contaminated soil was washed using a 1:3 ratio soil/surfactant solution (0.5% Sulfopon 30-SP30). The surfactant-enriched wastewater was then treated in a submerged biofilter. The biofiltration system consisted of a column with a length of 50 cm and diameter of 12 cm. The biofilter was packed with tezontle with an average diameter of 0.2-0.4 cm and 70% void space. The biofilter working volume was 4.5 L. The samples of the packing material for the DGGE analysis were obtained from the ports located along the biofilter: at the wastewater inlet, at the middle of the column and at the outlet. After DNA extraction with a Power Soil DNA Isolation Kit (MO BIO), PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis was conducted. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified using universal bacterial primers. The data obtained by DGGE analysis for the microbial population developed in the biofilter were further analyzed by the Jaccard similarity coefficient. Results: The soil contained 14,704 mg/kg TPH. BTEX compounds were not found, and only two different PAHs were found in the soil samples: benzo-fluoranthene and benzopyrene, at concentrations of 0.1280 and 0.0682 mg/kg of soil, respectively. During the surfactant-aided soil washing, the highest removal percentage of the oil removed from the soil was 59% with 0.5% SP30. The wastewater generated after the soil washing process contained, in average 1,329 mg COD/L and 211 mg/L of grease and oil. Higher COD removals were obtained at a flux of 0.4 L/h for both of the COD initial concentrations. While the highest removal was 78.27%, determined at an initial COD concentration of 300 mg/L. When applying fluxes of 0.28 and 0.40 L/h at a higher initial COD concentration, the COD removals were increased; this was not the case for a flux of 0.63 L/h. For a given initial COD concentration, the removal efficiencies were higher for lower fluxes. Analysis of the similarity between the microbial populations for varying fluxes and levels along the length of the biofilter was determined by the Jaccard (JI) index. The results showed that the initial microbial populations (t0) have low similarities with the developed microbial populations at the different conditions tested. Conclusion: Both the flux and the initial COD concentration had an impact on COD removal and the microbial concentration in the column. The COD removal percentages were similar at fluxes of 0.28 and 0.63 L/h. The highest removal percentage of 78.27% was obtained at a flux of 0.4L/h; this finding was in agreement with the highest microbial count and the specialization of microbial populations (less diversity). In general, it was shown that the flux had an effect on changes in microbial population. Greater effects were observed on the microbial population due to the position along the reactor, e.g., the greatest differences were found at the different levels of the biofilter.

Otimização do processo de nitrificação com o uso de conchas de ostras como material suporte em reatores aeróbios com biomassa fixa / Optimization of the nitrification process using oyster shells as a support material in fixed biomass aerobic reactors

A preservação dos mananciais de água traz como ponto de atuação primordial o tratamento dos esgotos sanitários a nível terciário. A partir daí destaca-se a necessidade de otimizar os sistemas de remoção de nutrientes, buscando-se processos mais estáveis, economicamente viáveis e ambientalmente sustentáveis. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar conchas de ostras como material de preenchimento em um biofiltro aerado submerso, assumindo-se a hipótese de que as mesmas podem interagir com a fase líquida do reator, fornecendo alcalinidade necessária à estabilidade do processo de nitrificação autotrófica. Uma série de condições operacionais foi avaliada visando à nitrificação; portanto, foi possível concluir que, no biofiltro aerado submerso com conchas de ostras, podem ser aplicadas taxas hidráulicas >5,2 m³.m-2.d-1 e tempo de detenção hidráulico <7,5 horas, desde que a relação carbono: nitrogênio seja mantida abaixo de quatro. As conchas de ostras mantiveram o sistema tamponado (pH=7,5±0,3), mesmo com uma intensa atividade nitrificante no reator (100%).

One of the main key actions for water resources preservation is to promote wastewater treatment in a tertiary level. From this point, it can be highlighted the demands for optimizing the processes for nutrients removal aiming more stable processes, which are economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The aim of this research was to evaluate oyster shells as support material in an aerated submerged biofilter, having as main hypothesis the fact that they can interact with the liquid phase of the reactor, providing the necessary alkalinity to stabilize the autotrophic nitrification. The reactor studied was submitted to several operational conditions and could be concluded that, in the aerated submerged biofilter with oyster shells, hydraulic loadings can be >5.2 m³.m-2.d-1 and a hydraulic retention time <7.5 hours can be applied, since that the relation carbon: nitrogen is maintained under four. The oyster shells kept the system buffered (pH=7.5±0.3), even with a high nitrifying activity in the reactor (100%).

Biodegradation of mono-chlorobenzene by using a trickle bed air biofilter (TBAB).

In the present study, performance of the trickle bed air biofilter (TBAB) for treating mono-chlorobenzene (MCB) was evaluated for various influent volatile organic compound (VOC) loadings using coal and mixed consortium of activated sludge as the packing material. Microbial acclimation to MCB was achieved by exposing the system continuously for 31 d to an average inlet MCB concentration of 0.688 g m-3 at an empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 188 s. The TBAB achieved maximum removal efficiency of 87% at an EBRT of 188 s for an inlet concentration of 0.681 g m-3, which is quite significance than the values reported in the literature. Elimination capacities of MCB increased with an increase of the influent VOC loading, but an opposite trend was observed for the removal efficiency. The maximum elimination capacity of the biofilter was 110.75 g m-3 hr -1 at an inlet MCB concentration of 1.47 g m-3. The effect of starvation on the TBAB was also studied. After starvation, the TBAB lost its ability to degrade MCB initially. However, the biofilter recovered very quickly. Evaluation of the concentration profile along the bed height indicated that the bottom section of TBAB has the best performance for all concentrations. By using Wani’s method of macrokinetic determination based on simple Monod kinetics, the maximum removal rate of MCB, rmax and saturation constant Km was to be found as 1.304 g m-3 s-1 and 113.446 g m-3, respectively.

Comparative studies on toluene removal and pressure drop in biofilters using different packing materials.

To select the best available packing material for malodorous organic gases such as toluene and benzene, biofilter performance was compared in biofilters employed different packing materials including porous ceramic (celite), Jeju scoria (lava), a mixture of granular activated carbon (GAC) and celite (GAC/celite), and cubic polyurethane foam (PU). A toluene-degrading bacterium, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia T3-c, was used as the inoculum. The maximum elimination capacities in the celite, lava, and GAC/celite biofilters were 100, 130, and 110 g m-3 hr -1,, respectively. The elimination capacity for the PU biofilter was approximately 350 g m-3 hr -1 at an inlet loading of approximately 430 g m-3 hr-1, which was 2 to 3.5 times higher than for the other biofilters. The pressure drop gradually increased in the GAC/ celite, celite and lava biofilters after 23 day due to bacterial over-growth, and the toluene removal efficiency remarkably decreased with increasing pressure drop. Backwashing method was not effective for the control of biomass in these biofilters. In the PU biofilter, however, backwashing allowed maintenance of a pressure drop of 1 to 3 mm H2O m-1 and a removal efficiency of > 80%, indicating that the PU was the best packing material for toluene removal among the packing materials tested.

Application of quantitative real-time PCR for quantification of Rhodococcus sp. EH831 in a polyurethane biofilter.

Rhodococcus sp. EH831 is a microbial species that can degrade volatile organic compounds. We optimized a method for monitoring quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of EH831 that was incorporated into a polyurethane (PU) biofilter. When the genomic DNA of EH831 was directly extracted from a PU sample with immobilized EH831, the recovery efficiency was very low due to DNA absorption into the PU. DNA amplification during PCR was also inhibited by PU impurities. Therefore, a pre-treatment step was necessary. We successfully recovered cells from the PU by squeezing the matrix, adding sterilized water, and vortexing. The recovery efficiency ranged from 105 to 144%, and there was no statistically significant difference. We designed a novel TaqMan probe for EH831 and demonstrated its high specificity for EH831. The detection range for EH831 was 105-1011 CFU ml-1. The method described in this study can be used to investigate the relationship between quantitative analysis of Rhodococcus sp. EH831 and PU biofilter performance.

Utilization of macrophyte biofilter in effluent from aquaculture: I. Floating plant

The objective of this work was to manufacture a low-cost biofilter, made of floating macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes). Limnological studies were conducted 7 days after the macrophytes were placed in the biofilter, and continued over a period of 30 consecutive days. During rainy and dry seasons, and high production period, samples were taken three times a week. The lowest levels of nitrogen compounds were observed in the July/August period, which corresponded to lower fish production and low supply rattion in the culture ponds. During the experimental period, pH values ranged from acid to alkaline and did not oscillate with higher average values during April/May. Alkalinity and bicarbonate dominance in the medium were directly affected by pH. With respect to associated micro-fauna, among phyto-plankton Chlorophyta was the dominant group and among zooplankton, Rotifera. It is recommended that during production peaks, the aquatic plants should be replaced by small buds every 10 days.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi confeccionar um biofiltro de baixo custo constituído por macrófita flutuante (Eichhornia crassipes). Os estudos limnológicos foram realizados 7 dias depois de colocadas as macrófitas no biofiltro, durante um período de 30 dias consecutivos, com amostragens 3 vezes por semana nas épocas de chuva, seca e de alta produção de organismos cultivados. Quanto aos compostos nitrogenados, as menores concentrações foram observadas no período de jul./ago., correspondendo à época de baixa produção de peixes e baixa adição de alimento nos tanques e viveiros de cultivo. O pH manteve-se ligeiramente ácido a alcalino ao longo do período experimental, não apresentando oscilações com os maiores valores médios no período de abr./mai. Os valores de pH influenciaram diretamente a alcalinidade e a dominância de bicarbonato no meio. Quanto à microfauna associada, entre os fitoplanctônicos as Chlorophyta foram o grupo dominante e entre os zooplanctônicos foram os Rotifera. Recomenda-se, no período de alta produção, substituição das plantas aquáticas por brotos bem pequenos a cada 10 dias.

Effectiveness of Small-size Activated Bio-filter on Purification of Domestic Sewage / 环境与健康杂志

ve To research an effective, economic and simple biological treatment technology process for purification of sewage. Methods With the sufficient supplication of oxygen, the organic compounds in domestic sewage were sufficiently oxidized and decomposed in bio-filter using activated pottery granule as packing materials. CODCr and BOD5 reflecting the effectiveness of purification of sewage were determined. Results After the treatment by activated bio-filter, the levels of CODc, of treated sewage decreased from 444.86 mg/L to 16.76 mg/L with a de-crease rate of 96.23% , the levels of BOD, decreased from 211.54 mg/L to 3.95 mg/L with a decrease rate of 98. 13% . The levels of CODCr and BOD5 of treated sewage all were below the related values of grade I standand of discharge from secondary municipal sewage treatment plant. Conclusion The purification technology using activated bio-filter was effective, economic and simple, which could be widely applied to demestic sewage purification treatment.

Separating and Studying of the Aerobic Denitrifying Bacteria from Biofilter / 微生物学通报

Four strains of aerobic denitrifying bacteria were isolated from biomembrane of the laboratory biofilter by selective medium. The denitrifying rates of these four strains were found more than 80% under aerobic condition for 40 hours. The denitrifying rate of A1 was highest, which was 99.05%. When measuring the course of nitrogen element changing, it is found that they accumulated nitrite expect the strain A1. The strain A1 was gram positive and spherical. It is identified as Pseudomonas putida based on its biochemical and morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences(genbank accession NO.DQ836052.1). For the strain A1, the optimum beginning pH was 7.0 around, and the optimum tempera- ture was 30 ℃ around, The change of DO did not influence the effect of denitrification when it was more than 2.0 mg/L.

The Study of Treatment of Odor Gas Emitted from the Wastewater Plant by the Biofilter / 微生物学通报

A pilot-scale research on purification of odorous gas emitted from wastewater treatment plant using a biofilter was conducted. The aim of this study is to check on the performance of biofilter running in various conditions and the effect of pH fluctuations on the performance of biofilter. The relation between distribution of microorganism and removal of odorous gases were also discussed here. The experimental results show that the predominant odor-causing gas can be efficiently eliminated by a biofilter inoculated with deodoring microorganism which were isolated previously. Moreover the biofilter had been proved having good tolerance to shocking loads of pollutant and can operate well in the condition of low pH.