气提式内循环硝化反应器运行性能的研究

气提式内循环反应器具有很好的生物硝化性能,能承受高进水氨浓度（78.49mmol/L）,具有高容积转化效率（163.18 mmol/L·d）,运行性能稳定（氨去除率保持在94.42%以上）。在气提式内循环反应器的运行过程中,可产生硝化颗粒污泥。颗粒污泥开始出现的时间约为45d,颗粒污泥的粒径平均值0.83 mm,沉降速度55.53m/h,氨氧化活性0.95mmol (NH⁺₄-N)/g(VS)·d。硝化颗粒污泥也具有厌氧氨氧化活性,氨氧化速率0.23mmol (NH⁺₄-N)/g(VS)·d,亚硝酸还原速率0.24mmol (NO^-₂-N)/g(VS)·d。     

The response of maize (Zea mays L.) plant assisted with bacterial consortium and fertilizer under oily sludge

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of PGPR consortium and fertilizer alone and in combination on the physiology of maize grown under oily sludge stress environment as well on the soil nutrient status. Consortium was prepared from Bacillus cereus (Acc KR232400), Bacillus altitudinis (Acc KF859970), Comamonas (Delftia) belonging to family Comamonadacea (Acc KF859971) and Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia (Acc KF859973). The experiment was conducted in pots with complete randomized design with four replicates and kept in field. Oily sludge was mixed in ml and Ammonium nitrate and Diammonium phosphate (DAP) were added at 70 ug/g and 7ug/g at sowing. The plant was harvested at 21 d for estimation of protein, proline and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). To study the degradation, total petroleum hydrocarbon was extracted by soxhelt extraction and extract was analyzed by GC-FID at different period after incubation. Combined application of consortium and fertilizer enhanced the germination %, protein and, proline content by 90,130 and 99% higher than untreated maize plants. Bioavailability of macro and micro nutrient was also enhanced with consortium and fertilizer in oily sludge. The consortium and fertilizer in combined treatment decreased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase dismutase (POD) of the maize leaves grown in oily sludge. Degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs) was 59% higher in combined application of consortium and fertilizer than untreated maize at 3 d. The bacterial consortium can enhanced the maize tolerance to oily sludge and enhanced degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs). The maize can be considered as tolerant plant species to remediate oily sludge contaminated soils.     

Enhancement of anaerobic carbon tetrachloride biotransformation in methanogenic sludge with redox active vitamins

Carbon tetrachloride (CT) is an important groundwater pollutant which is only subject to biotransformation in the absence of oxygen. The anaerobic biotransformation of CT is influenced by electron shuttling compounds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of redox active vitamins on CT (100 M) metabolism in a methanogenic sludge consortium (0.5 g VSSl^-1) supplied with volatile fatty acids as electron donor (0.2 g CODl^-1). The redox active vitamins, tested at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 20 M, were riboflavin (RF) and two forms of vitamin B12, cyanocobalamin (CNB12) and hydroxycobalamin (HOB12), and these were compared with a redox mediating quinone, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS). Substoichiometric concentrations of RF, CNB12, HOB12 at molar ratios of vitamin:CT as low as 0.005 significantly increased rates of CT-bioconversion. These are the lowest molar ratios of vitamin B12 reported having an impact on dechlorination. Additionally, this study constitutes the first report of RF having a role in reductive dechlorination. At molar ratios of 0.1 vitamin:CT, RF, CNB12, HOB12 increased the first order rate constant of CT bioconversion by 4.0-, 13.3-and 13.6-fold, respectively. The redox active vitamins also enhanced the rates of abiotic CT conversion in heat killed sludge treatments, but the rates were approximately 4- to 5-fold lower than the corresponding vitamin enhanced rates of biological CT conversion. The addition of CNB12 or HOB12 to the live methanogenic sludge consortium increased the yield of inorganic chloride (Cl^-) from CT-converted. Chloroform was a transient intermediate in CNB12 or HOB12 supplemented cultures. In contrast, the addition of RF increased the yield of chloroform from CT-converted. Taken as a whole the results clearly demonstrate that very low concentrations of redox active vitamins could potentially play an important role in accelerating the anaerobic the bioremediation of CT as well as influencing the proportions of biotransformation products formed.     

Biodetoxification of silver-cyanide from electroplating industry wastewater

A bacterial consortium capable of utilizing metal-cyanides as a source of nitrogen was used to develop a microbiological process for the detoxification of silver-cyanide from electroplating wastewater. When the treatment was carried out in a 27-l rotating biological contactor (R3C) in continuous mode, the system could achieve > 99.5% removal of 0.1 mmol l(-1) silver-cyanide (approximately 5 mg l(-1) cyanide and 10 mg l(-1) silver) in 10 h with sugarcane molasses (0.1 ml l(-1)) as carbon source. The silver ions set free during biodegradation were efficiently adsorbed by the bacterial biomass. The RBC-treated effluent was found to be safe for discharge into the environment, as confirmed by chemical analysis and fish bioassay studies.     

Hydrocarbon biodegradation in oxygen-limited sequential batch reactors by consortium from weathered, oil-contaminated soil

We studied the use of sequential batch reactors under oxygen limitation to improve and maintain consortium ability to biodegrade hydrocarbons. Air-agitated tubular reactors (2.5 L) were operated for 20 sequential 21-day cycles. Maya crude oil-paraffin mixture (13,000 mg/L) was used as the sole carbon source. The reactors were inoculated with a consortium from the rhizosphere of Cyperus laxus, a native plant that grows naturally in weathered, contaminated soil. Oxygen limitation was induced in the tubular reactor by maintaining low oxygen transfer coefficients (k(L)a < 20.6 h(-1)). The extent and biodegradation rates increased significantly up to the fourth cycle, maintaining values of about 66.33% and 460 mg x L(-1) x d(-1), respectively. Thereafter, sequential batch reactor operation exhibited a pattern with a constant general trend of biodegradation. The effect of oxygen limitation on consortium activity led to a low biomass yield and non-soluble metabolite (0.45 g SS/g hydrocarbons consumed). The average number of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms increased from 6.5 x 10(7) (cycles 1-3) to 2.2 x 10(8) (cycles 4-20). Five bacterial strains were identified: Achromobacter (Alcaligenes) xylosoxidans, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Brevibacterium luteum, and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes. Asphaltene-free total petroleum hydrocarbons, extracted from a weathered, contaminated soil, were also biodegraded (97.1 mg x L(-1) x d(-1)) and mineralized (210.48 mg CO2 x L(-1) x d(-1)) by the enriched consortium without inhibition. Our results indicate that sequential batch reactors under oxygen limitation can be used to produce consortia with high and constant biodegradation ability for industrial applications of bioremediation.     

Adaptation of anaerobic ammonium-oxidising consortium to synthetic coke-ovens wastewater

A consortium with autotrophic anaerobic ammonium oxidising (AAAO) activity was developed from municipal sludge, and its ability to remove high ammonium concentrations in a toxic wastewater such as coke ovens wastewater is presented here. The enriched AAAO consortium was acclimatised to a synthetic coke ovens wastewater to establish anaerobic ammonium oxidation (AAO) activity. Phenol was the main carbon component of the synthetic wastewater whereby it was added stepwise from 50+/-10 to 550+/-10 mg l(-1) into an anammox enrichment medium. Ammonium-N removal was initially impaired; however, it gradually recovered. After 15 months of further selection and enrichment, the ammonium removal rate reached 62+/-2 mg NH(4)(+)-N l(-1) day(-1), i.e. 1.5 times the rate in the original AAAO reactor. The new consortium demonstrated higher ammonium and nitrite removal rates, even under phenol perturbation (up to 330+/-10 mg l(-1)). It is therefore concluded that the AAO activity in the consortium was resistant to high phenol and has potential for treating coke-ovens wastewater.     

Biodegradation of pyridine by an isolated bacterial consortium/strain and bio-augmentation of strain into activated sludge to enhance pyridine biodegradation

Pyridine and pyridine based products are of major concern as environmental pollutants due to their recalcitrant, persistent, toxic and teratogenic nature. In this study, we describe biodegradation of pyridine by an isolated consortium/strain under aerobic condition. Batch experiment results reveal that at lower initial pyridine concentrations (1-20 mg l(-1)), almost complete degradation was observed whereas at higher concentration (30-50 mg l(-1)), the degradation efficiency was dropped significantly. This may be due to inhibitory effect of pyridine at higher concentrations. The value of decay and yield coefficient was also determined. Furthermore, the bio-augmentation of isolated consortium/strain into the activated sludge consortium in different quantity has been also done and the effect of bio-augmentation on degradation has been studied. The results reveal that as the quantity of bio-augmentation increases, the degradation of pyridine increases. At 25% bio-augmentation, complete degradation of 20 mg l(-1) of pyridine can be achieved within 96 h of incubation. Thus, the study concluded that the bio-augmentation of the isolated consortium/strain into the sludge enhances the pyridine degradation efficiency of the biomass.     

Aerobic degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by a microbial consortium - selection and characterization of microbial consortium

A microbial consortium that efficiently degrades 2,4,6-TCP (2,4,6-trichlorophenol), as the sole source of carbon and energy under aerobic conditions was selected from municipal activated sludge. Six bacterial strains, designated S(1), S(2), S(3), S(4), S(5) and S(6), were isolated from the selected consortium and five were identified as Sphingomonas paucimobilis (S(2), S(3)), Burkholderia cepacia(S(4)), Chryseomonas luteola (S(5)) and Vibrio metschnikovii (S(6)). After prolonged cultivation followed by successive transfers, the consortium's degradation ability was improved and reached a specific degradation rate of 34 mg 2,4,6-TCP g(-1) dry weight h(-1) (about 51 mg 2,4,6-TCP g(-1) cell protein h(-1)). The soluble chemical oxygen demand, chloride and oxygen uptake balance data clearly indicate the complete dechlorination and mineralization of 2,4,6-TCP. The consortium's activity was not inhibited by 2,4,6-TCP concentrations 相似文献   

Sludge drying reed beds for septage treatment: towards design and operation recommendations

This paper focuses on the feasibility of septage treatment by sludge drying reed beds (SDRB). Different designs and operation conditions of SRDB pilot-scales were tested on system efficiencies such as the top filtration layer (sand or compost) and the organic load (30 and 50 kg SSm(-2)y(-1)). Results focus on the obtained performances considering sludge characteristics, filtration efficiencies, percolate qualities, and sludge deposit properties. Although results show better filtration efficiency for activated sludge (e.g. SS removal around 98.4%) than for septage (e.g. SS removal around 87.5%), the feasibility of septage treatment with SDRB has been demonstrated with, at 50 kg SSm(-2)y(-1) sludge accumulation, and dry matter about 7.9 cm y(-1) and 70% (summer period), respectively. Further design and operation condition recommendations for SDRB treating septage are proposed.     

闽楠人工林细根寿命及其影响因素

采用微根管技术对闽楠(Phoebe bournei (Hemsl.) Yang)人工林细根生长动态进行了连续2a的观测,通过Kaplan-Meier方法估计细根寿命,使用对数秩检验(Log-rank test)比较单一因素(细根直径、序级、出生季节和土层)对细根寿命的影响;并分析细根化学性质对细根寿命的影响.结果表明:出生季节极显著影响闽楠细根寿命(P＜0.01),细根主要在春季出生(82.36％),夏季出生的细根平均寿命和中值寿命皆最长,分别为(218±23)d和(175±65)d;土层对闽楠细根寿命的影响不显著(P＞0.05),下层(20-40 cm)细根平均寿命为(126±4)d高于表层(0-20cm)的(116±5)d;细根平均寿命随直径增大而极显著增大(P＜0.01),0-0.3 mm的细根平均寿命为(109±4)d,0.3-0.6 mm的为(123±5)d,0.6-1 mm的为(139±11)d,1-2 mm的为(185±25)d.随着径级增大,闽楠细根碳含量极显著增大(P＜0.01),氮含量极显著减小(P＜0.01),碳氮比极显著增大(P＜0.01),磷含量极显著减小(P＜0.01).细根平均寿命随序级增大亦显著增大(P＜0.05),其中一级根平均寿命和中值寿命分别为(120±4)d和(89±1)d,高级根的则为(137±7)d和(123±1)d.以上结果表明闽楠细根寿命受到细根形态结构(直径和序级)、出生季节以及细根化学性质的影响.     

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) degradation by a microbial consortium

The widespread use of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as a gasoline additive has resulted in a large number of cases of groundwater contamination. Bioremediation is often proposed as the most promising alternative after treatment. However, MTBE biodegradation appears to be quite different from the biodegradation of usual gasoline contaminants such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (BTEX). In the present paper, the characteristics of a consortium degrading MTBE in liquid cultures are presented and discussed. MTBE degradation rate was fast and followed zero order kinetics when added at 100 mg l(-1). The residual MTBE concentration in batch degradation experiments ranged from below the detection limit (1 microg l(-1)) to 50 microg l(-1). The specific activity of the consortium ranged from 7 to 52 mgMTBE g(dw)(-1) h(-1) (i.e. 19-141 mgCOD g(dw) (-1) h(-1)). Radioisotope experiments showed that 79% of the carbon-MTBE was converted to carbon-carbon dioxide. The consortium was also capable of degrading a variety of hydrocarbons, including tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) and gasoline constituents such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). The consortium was also characterized by a very slow growth rate (0.1 d(-1)), a low overall biomass yield (0.11 gdw g(-1)MTBE; i.e. 0.040 gdw gCOD(-1)), a high affinity for MTBE and a low affinity for oxygen, which may be a reason for the slow or absence of MTBE biodegradation in situ. Still, the results presented here show promising perspectives for engineering the in situ bioremediation of MTBE.     

Mineralization of LCFA associated with anaerobic sludge: Kinetics, enhancement of methanogenic activity, and effect of VFA

Long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) associated with anaerobic sludge by mechanisms of precipitation, adsorption, or entrapment can be biodegraded to methane. The mineralization kinetics of biomass-associated LCFA were established according to an inhibition model based on Haldane's enzymatic inhibition kinetics. A value around 1,000 mg COD-LCFA..g VSS(-1) was obtained for the optimal specific LCFA content that allowed the maximal mineralization rate. For sludge with specific LCFA contents of 2,838 +/- 63 and 4,571 +/- 257 mg COD-LCFA..g VSS(-1), the specific methanogenic activities in the presence of acetate, butyrate, and H(2)/CO(2) were significantly enhanced after the mineralization of the biomass-associated LCFA. For sludge with a specific LCFA content near the optimal value defined by the kinetic model, the effect of adding VFA to the medium was studied during the mineralization of the biomass-associated LCFA. Different patterns were obtained for each individual substrate. Acetate and butyrate were preferentially consumed by the consortium, but in the case of propionate no evidence of a sequential consumption pattern could be withdrawn. It was concluded that LCFA do not exert a bactericidal neither a permanent toxic effect toward the anaerobic consortia. A discussion is addressed to the relative roles of a reversible inhibitory effect and a transport limitation effect imposed by the LCFA surrounding the cells.     

Lignin from rice straw Kraft pulping: effects on soil aggregation and chemical properties

Lignin contained in pulping liquor that is generated during the pulping process for papermaking is a disposal problem for the pulp and paper industry. Separating lignin and other organic components from pulping liquor with inorganic acids may improve its applicability to fields as a beneficial soil amendment while offering a potential disposal alternative. Sulfuric acid-precipitated lignin from rice straw pulping liquor applied at rates of 1.67 and 3.34 g C kg(-1) soil was incubated to evaluate its effects on soil properties over 8 weeks of incubation. Addition of this acid-precipitated lignin at these rates decreased soil pH by 0.24-0.53 units over 8 weeks of incubation, suggesting that this sulfuric acid-precipitated lignin from pulping liquor may have potential as a soil acidifying agent. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) only increased by up to 0.36 d Sm(-1), but highest EC levels were less than 4 d Sm(-1), indicating that lignin applied at both rates would not cause salinity problems. Application of this lignin increased soil organic C by 1.46 and 3.13 g C kg(-1), and total soil N by 0.07 and 0.17 g N kg(-1) over the incubation period. Lignin improved the macroaggregation of >2mm size fraction, and increased wet microaggregate stability of >2mm and 0.5-0.25 mm aggregates compared to a nonamended control. The results of this study suggest that this acid-precipitated lignin from pulping liquor may have potential as a beneficial soil amendment.     

宁夏荒漠草原柠条锦鸡儿枯落物分解特征及其影响因素

以宁夏荒漠草原柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana kornshinskii)枯落物为研究对象,利用网孔分解袋法研究了极小型、小型、中型和大型柠条锦鸡儿灌丛微生境枯落物分解率变化特征及对土壤环境的响应规律。结果表明:(1)随着分解时间延长,不同大小柠条锦鸡儿灌丛微生境土壤含水量和土壤温度均呈现出相似的分布特征,而土壤pH值和电导率随时间分布特征则受到灌丛大小的显著影响。(2)3种网孔内,不同大小柠条灌丛微生境间枯落物分解率均无显著差异性。但是,灌丛微生境中枯落物分解率受到灌丛大小和网孔大小的共同影响。(3)中型灌丛微生境中枯落物分解率在3种网孔间均无显著差异性。但在极小型灌丛微生境中,120 d时枯落物分解率表现为4 mm(40.95%)0.01 mm(38.51%)2 mm(32.14%),150 d时枯落物分解率表现为2 mm(37.64%)4 mm(35.20%)0.01 mm(26.68%)。在小型灌丛微生境中,120 d时枯落物分解率表现为0.01 mm(46.81%)4 mm(41.07%)2 mm(34.75%)。在大型灌丛微生境中,120 d时枯落物分解率表现为4 mm(39.65%)2 mm(36.65%)0.01 mm(35.96%),210 d时枯落物分解率表现为2 mm(48.05%)4 mm(35.96%)0.01 mm(30.80%)。(4)Olson衰减指数模型得出枯落物分解50%和95%所需时间,表现为极小型灌丛和中型灌丛微生境中均为0.95年和4.1年(3种网孔相同);小型灌丛微生境中为0.63年和2.74年(4 mm)、1.90年和8.21年(2 mm)、0.95年和4.1年(0.01 mm);大型灌丛微生境中为0.95年和4.1年(4 mm)、0.63年和2.74年(2 mm)、1.90年和8.21年(0.01 mm)。研究表明,在宁夏荒漠草原,仅灌丛大小引起的微生境差异对枯落物分解率影响较小,但灌丛大小和土壤动物类群的相互作用对枯落物分解率的影响较大。     

Anaerobic hydrogen production with an efficient carrier-induced granular sludge bed bioreactor

A novel bioreactor containing self-flocculated anaerobic granular sludge was developed for high-performance hydrogen production from sucrose-based synthetic wastewater. The reactor achieved an optimal volumetric hydrogen production rate of approximately 7.3 L/h/L (7,150 mmol/d/L) and a maximal hydrogen yield of 3.03 mol H2/mol sucrose when it was operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 0.5 h with an influent sucrose concentration of 20 g COD/L. The gas-phase hydrogen content and substrate conversion also exceeded 40 and 90%, respectively, under optimal conditions. Packing of a small quantity of carrier matrices on the bottom of the upflow reactor significantly stimulated sludge granulation that can be accomplished within 100 h. Among the four carriers examined, spherical activated carbon was the most effective inducer for granular sludge formation. The carrier-induced granular sludge bed (CIGSB) bioreactor was started up with a low HRT of 4-8 h (corresponding to an organic loading rate of 2.5-5 g COD/h/L) and enabled stable operations at an extremely low HRT (up to 0.5 h) without washout of biomass. The granular sludge was rapidly formed in CIGSB supported with activated carbon and reached a maximal concentration of 26 g/L at HRT = 0.5 h. The ability to maintain high biomass concentration at low HRT (i.e., high organic loading rate) highlights the key factor for the remarkable hydrogen production efficiency of the CIGSB processes.     

Metagenomic analysis for the microbial consortium of anaerobic CO oxidizers

Metagenomics analysis has been applied to identify the dominant anaerobic microbial consortium of the carbon monoxide (CO) oxidizers in anaerobic sludge. Reads from the hypervariable V6 region in the bacterial 16s rDNA were aligned and finally clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The OTUs from different stages in anaerobic CO condition were classified. Alphaproteobacteria, clostridia, betaproteobacteria and actinobacteria were the most abundant groups, while alphaproteobacteria, betaproteobacteria and actinobacteria were variable groups. CO consumption and production efficiency of the microbial consortium were studied. Semi-continuous trials showed that these anaerobic CO oxidizers formed a stable microbial community, and the CO conversion rate was at over 84%, with the highest CO consumption activity of 28.9 mmol CO/g VSS●day and methane production activity at 7.6 mmol CH₄/g VSS●day during six cycles.     

Simultaneous sludge reduction and nutrient removal (SSRNR) with interaction between Tubificidae and microorganisms: a full-scale study

A symbiotic ecosystem between Tubificidae and microorganisms was established at a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In this ecosystem Tubificidae were inoculated, and then adhered to the outer layers of carrier materials in an oxidation tank. During the long-term treatment of sewage volumes of 20,000 m(3)d(-1), the excess sludge production rate was reduced from 0.21 to 0.051 kg m(-3) and sludge settleability was significantly improved. When the influent concentrations of COD, NH(4)(+)-N, PO(4)(-)-P, and SS were in the ranges of 130.0-459.0 mg L(-1), 14.2-27.5 mg L(-1), 1.6-7.0 mg L(-1), and 60.0-466.0 mg L(-1), respectively, the COD and SS removal efficiency was increased by 8.7% and 13.6% within the symbiotic system compared to the control without Tubificidae. In addition, NH(4)(+)-N and phosphorus removal efficiency can also be improved. The results showed that both sludge reduction and nutrient removal were enhanced simultaneously significantly within the system utilizing the symbiotic interactions of Tubificidae and microorganisms.     

In Situ Bioremediation Potential of an Oily Sludge-Degrading Bacterial Consortium

A field-scale study was conducted in a 4000 m² plot of land contaminated with an oily sludge by use of a carrier-based hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial consortium for bioremediation. The land belonged to an oil refinery. Prior to this study, a feasibility study was conducted to assess the capacity of the bacterial consortium to degrade oily sludge. The site selected for bioremediation contained approximately 300 tons of oily sludge. The plot was divided into four blocks, based on the extent of contamination. Blocks A, B, and C were treated with the bacterial consortium, whereas Block D was maintained as an untreated control. In Block A, at time zero, i.e., at the beginning of the experiment, the soil contained as much as 99.2 g/kg of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH). The application of a bacterial consortium (1 kg carrier-based bacterial consortium/10 m² area) and nutrients degraded 90.2% of the TPH in 120 days, whereas in block D only 16.8% of the TPH was degraded. This study validates the large-scale use of a carrier-based bacterial consortium and nutrients for the treatment of land contaminated with oily sludge, a hazardous hydrocarbon waste generated by petroleum industry. Received: 20 October 2000 / Accepted: 22 March 2001     

Hydrogen production and anaerobic decolorization of wastewater containing Reactive Blue 4 by a bacterial consortium of Salmonella subterranea and Paenibacillus polymyxa

Anaerobic biodegradability of wastewater (3,000 mg CODcr/l) containing 300 mg/l Reactive Blue 4, with different co-substrates, glucose, butyrate and propionate by a bacterial consortium of Salmonella subterranea and Paenibacillus polymyxa, concomitantly with hydrogen production was investigated at 35°C. The accumulative hydrogen production at 3,067 mg CODcr/l was obtained after 7 days of incubation with glucose, sludge, the bacterial consortium. The volatile fatty acids, residual glucose and the total organic carbon were correlated to hydrogen obtained. Interestingly, the bacterial consortium possess decolorization ability showing approximately 24% dye removal after 24 h incubation using glucose as a co-substrate, which was about two and eight times those of butyrate (10%), propionate (12%) and control (3%), respectively. RB4 decolorization occurred through acidogenesis, as high volatile fatty acids but low methane was detected. The bacterial consortium will be the bacterial strains of interest for further decolorization and hydrogen production of industrial waste water.     

Start‐up of Anaerobic Hydrogen Producing Reactors Seeded with Sewage Sludge

The procedure for starting‐up continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) for acclimating anaerobic hydrogen‐producing microorganisms with sewage sludge was investigated. Initially, feeding with glucose and sucrose as well as mixing were carried out in semicontinuous mode; hydraulic retention time (HRT) was in an order of 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5 and 2 days. When the pH declined to its lowest value (pH 5.18), it was adjusted to 6.7 using sodium hydroxide (1 N). At the same time, the semi‐continuous operation was changed to a continuous one. Finally, the pH was continuously regulated at approximately 6.7. The results indicate that this procedure can be used to cultivate seed sludge for hydrogen production from sewage sludge resulting in a large hydrogen production in less than 60 days. When the substrate was glucose, a hydrogen yield of 1.63 mol H₂/mol glucose and a specific hydrogen production rate of 321 mmol H₂/g VSS day at an HRT of 13.3 h was achieved. When the substrate was sucrose with the same HTR, a hydrogen yield of 4.45 mol H2/mol sucrose and a specific hydrogen production rate of 707 mmol H₂/g VSS day was obtained.