Study on activated carbon derived from sewage sludge for adsorption of gaseous formaldehyde

The aim of this work is to evaluate the adsorption performances of activated carbon derived from sewage sludge (ACSS) for gaseous formaldehyde removal compared with three commercial activated carbons (CACs) using self-designing adsorption and distillation system. Formaldehyde desorption of the activated carbons for regeneration was also studied using thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The porous structure and surface characteristics were studied using N₂ adsorption and desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that ACSS has excellent adsorption performance, which is overall superior to the CACs. Adsorption theory indicates that the ACSS outperforms the CACs due to its appropriate porous structure and surface chemistry characteristics for formaldehyde adsorption. The TG analysis of desorption shows that the optimum temperature to regenerate ACSS is 75 °C, which is affordable and economical for recycling.     

Remediation of chromite ore processing residue by pyrolysis process with sewage sludge

The present work developed a novel technique to treat chromite ore processing residue (COPR). The process involved mixing the COPR with sewage sludge followed by pyrolysis. The gaseous organic fraction generated during pyrolysis of sludge was beneficial to Cr(VI) reduction. Process variables, such as the amount of sludge added to COPR (sludge-to-COPR (S/C) ratio), heating temperature, reaction time and particle size, were systematically varied, and their influences on the Cr(VI) reduction in COPR were investigated. Cr(VI) content had decreased greatly, from 3384 mg kg⁻¹ for untreated COPR to less than 30 mg kg⁻¹ for COPR treated at 600 °C.     

Communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in activated sludge of various sewage treatment plants in Tokyo

We investigated ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in activated sludge collected from 12 sewage treatment systems, whose ammonia removal and treatment processes differed, during three different seasons. We used real-time PCR quantification to reveal total bacterial numbers and total ammonia oxidizer numbers, and used specific PCR followed by denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis, cloning, and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes to analyze ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities. Total bacterial numbers and total ammonia oxidizer numbers were in the range of 1.6 x 10(12) - 2.4 x 10(13) and 1.0 x 10(9) - 9.2 x 10(10)cellsl(-1), respectively. Seasonal variation was observed in the total ammonia oxidizer numbers, but not in the ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities. Members of the Nitrosomonas oligotropha cluster were found in all samples, and most sequences within this cluster grouped within two of the four sequence types identified. Members of the clusters of Nitrosomonas europaea-Nitrosococcus mobilis, Nitrosomonas cryotolerans, and unknown Nitrosomonas, occurred solely in one anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2O) system. Members of the Nitrosomonas communis cluster occurred almost exclusively in association with A2O and anaerobic/aerobic systems. Solid residence time mainly influenced the total numbers of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, whereas dissolved oxygen concentration primarily affected the ammonia-oxidizing activity per ammonia oxidizer cell.     

Characterization of microbial traits associated with glyphosate biodegradation in industrial activated sludge

Summary The microorganisms from two industrial (I1, I2) activated sludges that treat glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl glycine) wastes and one domestic (D1) sludge were enumerated by microscopic examination and by the use of eight selective media. I1 and I2 had higher total counts but fewer pseudomonads and no yeasts. The enumerations correlated directly with traditional biological performance measurements. A total of 393 microbial strains were isolated from the sludges to correlate the occurrence and relationship of glyphosate-degrading activity (GDA) to 155 biochemical and morphological characteristics. Each activated sludge contained unique bacterial populations with the microbes treating industrial wastes, capable of utilizing a wide range of carbohydrates. Numerical taxonomy (arithmetic average linkage) using simple matching and Jaccard coefficients confirmed that there were five (D1), three (I1), and 12 (I2) clusters. GDA was found in only a small portion of the industrial clusters and did not correlate with any other characteristic tested, even though the GDA strains had a large phenotypic diversity. This suggests that GDA is not a universal trait and its expression requires enrichment through specific selective pressures.     

Characterization of PHB storage in activated sludge extended filamentous bacteria by automated colour image analysis

The storage of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) in extended filamentous bacteria from activated sludge was monitored by Sudan Black staining: PHB granules were blue in the reddish filaments counterstained by safranin. By quantitative image analysis of colour images grabbed on an optical microscope, the distribution of the PHB loading of the extended filaments was estimated by determination of the proportion of blue pixels of their skeleton. The method was applied for different feed compositions to demonstrate its ability to monitor the PHB synthesis and storage capacity of filamentous bacteria in mixed cultures. Fast PHB storage, within a few hours, could be observed with acetate-based feeding solutions but the storage rate decreased with more complex feeds (meat extract based feed, wastewater).     

Influence of bulking agent on sewage sludge composting process

Four types of compost, consisting of mixtures of Acacia dealbata (A) with sewage sludge (SS) were studied in a laboratory reactor. Composting time was 80 days and parameters monitored over this period included temperature, organic matter, pH, CO₂, O₂, C/N ratio, Kjeldahl-N, as well as maturity indexes. All the studied parameters were influenced by the bulking amount used. The highest profile temperature measured was for the A/SS 1/2 (w/w) mixture that reached a maxima temperature of 67 °C and lower maximum temperatures of 52, 48 and 46 °C were observed for A/SS 1/3, 1/1 and 1/0 composts, respectively. The kinetic model used showed that a descent of sewage sludge in the composting mixtures favored the enzyme–substrate affinity. However, an increase in depending on the parameters of the process factors was observed when the sewage sludge ratio was increased in mixtures. The optimal amounts of sewage sludge for co-composting with Acacia indicate that moderate amounts of sludge (1/1) would be the best compromise.     

Immobilization of selected heavy metals in sewage sludge by natural zeolites

This contribution presents the possibility of application of natural sorbent (Transcarpathian clinoptylolite (KL)) for immobilization of selected heavy metals in the sewage sludge. The influence of ion-exchange parameters (e.g. time, amount of zeolite) were discussed. Process of immobilization was performed using a static method (Batch). It was found that best possible conditions for immobilization of heavy metal ions were as follows: zeolite fraction 0.7–1.0 mm, 5 h of shaking, zeolite/sewage sludge ratio 2/98.     

Cometabolic bioregeneration of activated carbons loaded with 2-chlorophenol

Thermally and chemically activated carbons were used to investigate the extent of cometabolic bioregeneration in laboratory scale activated sludge reactors. Bioregeneration was determined and quantified by measuring the substrate and chloride concentrations, oxygen uptake rates, and deterioration in adsorption capacities. Activated carbons loaded with 2-chlorophenol could be partially bioregenerated in the presence of phenol as the growth substrate. The occurrence of exoenzymatic bioregeneration was also possible during cometabolic bioregeneration of thermally activated carbons. However, cometabolic bioregeneration of chemically activated carbons was much superior compared with thermally activated carbons. In cometabolic bioregeneration of activated carbons loaded with 2-chlorophenol, biodegradation, rather than desorption, was the rate-limiting step. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses showed that groups of cocci-shaped phenol-oxidizers were attached to the outer surface or internal cavities of activated carbon as a fingerprint of bioregeneration.     

Assessment of denitrifying bacterial composition in activated sludge

The abundance and structure of denitrifying bacterial community in different activated sludge samples were assessed, where the abundance of denitrifying functional genes showed nirS in the range of 10(4)-10(5), nosZ with 10(4)-10(6) and 16S rRNA gene in the range 10(9)-10(10) copy number per ml of sludge. The culturable approach revealed Pseudomonas sp. and Alcaligenes sp. to be numerically high, whereas culture independent method showed betaproteobacteria to dominate the sludge samples. Comamonas sp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates showed efficient denitrification, while Pseudomonas mendocina, Pseudomonas stutzeri and Brevundimonas diminuta accumulated nitrite during denitrification. Numerically dominant RFLP OTUs of the nosZ gene from the fertilizer factory sludge samples clustered with the known isolates of betaproteobacteria. The data also suggests the presence of different truncated denitrifiers with high numbers in sludge habitat.     

荧光定量PCR监测五氯酚对好氧颗粒污泥和活性污泥中氨氧化细菌数量的影响

通过特异引物扩增环境中氨氧化细菌16S rDNAV2保守区域,将该片段克隆到T-easy载体上,PCR产物经测序和定量PCR扩增体系鉴定,证实PCR扩增产物为氨氧化细菌16S rDNA保守序列,以含该序列的重组质粒作为定量PCR监测氨氧化细菌数量的DNA标准品。用荧光定量PCR技术比较了五氯酚(PCP)对好氧颗粒污泥和活性污泥中氨氧化细菌数量的影响。结果表明,不加PCP的反应器中,好氧颗粒污泥和活性污泥中氨氧化细菌的数量分别为4.28×107±5.44×106cells/(g干污泥)和2.51×109±8.61×108cells/(g干污泥)。随着PCP浓度的增加(0~50mg/L),PCP对氨氧化细菌数量的影响不大(P>0.05),而且,污泥中氨氧化细菌的数量与氨氮的去除率无直接的正相关关系(P>0.05),PCP主要是抑制氨氧化细菌的代谢活性导致污泥氨氮去除效率降低。     

Effect of low power ultrasonic radiation on anaerobic biodegradability of sewage sludge

The effect of low power ultrasonic radiation on anaerobic biodegradability of sewage sludge was investigated. For this purpose, soluble substances and variation of microbial system of sewage sludge subjected to low power ultrasonic radiation were tested. The well known hydromechanical shear forces and heating effect of low frequency ultrasound plays a major role in the sludge pre treatment process. More, the increase of soluble substance may partly result from the destruction of microbial cell by excess ultrasonic pretreatment, which will inhibit the anaerobic process. By orthogonal tests, the optimal parameters were found to be an exposure time of 15 min, ultrasonic intensity of 0.35 W/cm² and ultrasonic power density of 0.25 W/ml. Under the optimal condition, anaerobic biodegradability of sewage sludge (R_(vss/ss) %) was increased by 67.6%. Consequently, it can be concluded that low power ultrasonic pretreatment is a valid method for improving anaerobic biodegradability of sewage sludge.     

Biodegradation of naphthalene in the oil refinery wastewater by enriched activated sludge

The main purpose of this paper is to study naphthalene (NAP) biodegradation by acclimated activated sludge, employing the culture-enrichment method in a continuous flow bioreactor of the wastewater treatment process. The effects of various COD loadings and influent flow rates of an artificial wastewater containing 15 mg l⁻¹ NAP on the biodegradation rates of the activated sludge will be investigated, in order to determine the biodegradation kinetics and minimum mean cell residence time of the activated sludge. From the experimental results, it was found that the resulting enriched activated sludge follows the growth rate of the Monod type and can biodegrade those COD and NAP loadings in the influents efficiently, and its bio-treatment efficiency on NAPs increases with the decrease of influent flow rate. The sludge volume index (SVI) of the resulting enriched activated sludge meets the design value required by the convectional activated sludge process for the treatment of wastewater.     

生物吸附剂-活性污泥法吸附处理含铬电镀废水

研究了复合生物吸附剂FY01和活性污泥处理含铬电镀废水的吸附性能.结果表明,铬的生物吸附分为快速15g·L^-1污泥对通用电镀废水、康力电镀废水中铬的联合去除率分别高达97.7%和88.1%,比两者单独处理电镀废水的吸附和缓慢吸附两个阶段.FY01具有良好的吸附稳定性,对废水的pH适应能力强,当pH=2.5~6时,10g·L^-1FY01和5g·L^-1污泥曝气处理2000mL电镀废水2h后,68.6mg·L^-1含铬通用电镀废水中总铬的去除率达71.5~75.6%;50.1mg·L^-1含铬康力电镀废水中总铬的去除率高达80.0~90.0%.FY01和活性污泥具有良好的协同促进作用,10g·L^-1FY01和除铬率总和分别高出39.8%、44.6%.     

城市污泥对退化森林生态系统土壤的人工熟化研究

森林退化问题在热带亚热带地区较为严重,在广东鹤山丘陵地区进行的野外试验结果表明,施用城市污水厂污泥可有效地促进树木的生长发育如增加株高和地径,对林中的灌草层植被也有促进和改善;同时可提高林地土壤肥力如土壤有机质和有效养分等,对土壤重金属残留的监测表明,施用污水厂污泥后主要问题是增加了Pb含量,其增加量随污泥用量增加而增加;其它重金属增加不显著。     

Relationship between protozoan and metazoan communities and operation and performance parameters in a textile sewage activated sludge system

The present study aims at investigating the possibility of assessing performance and depuration conditions of an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant through an exploration of the microfauna. The plant, receiving textile industrial (70%) and domestic (30%) sewage, consists of a two-step biological depurating plant, with activated sludge followed by a percolating system. A total of 35 samples were analyzed during five months, and 30 taxa of protozoa and small metazoa were found. Epistylis rotans, Vorticella microstoma, Aspidisca cicada and Arcella sp. were the most frequent protozoa identified. Several significant correlations between biological, physical–chemical and operational parameters were determined, but no significant correlations could be established between biological parameters and removal efficiencies. The Sludge Biotic Index (SBI) reflected the overall state of the community but only presented statistically significant correlations with the influent total suspended solids (TSS), total suspended solids in mixed-liquor (MLTSS) and dissolved oxygen (DO). The determination of key groups and taxa along with general community parameters showed to have potential value as indicators of the depuration conditions. Despite the impossibility of correlating biological parameters and the removal efficiencies, the present study attests the value of the microfauna to assess the operation of the activated sludge systems even in the case of non-conventional plants and/or plants receiving industrial sewage.     

Effects of combining biological treatment and activated carbon on hexavalent chromium reduction

The objectives of the present work were: (a) to analyze the Cr(VI) removal by combining activated sludge (AS) with powdered activated carbon (PAC), (b) to analyze the effect of PAC and Cr(VI) on the growth kinetics of activated sludge, and (c) to determine if the combined method (AS-PAC) for Cr(VI) removal can be considered additive or synergistic with respect to the individual processes. Chromate removal was improved by increasing PAC concentrations in both PAC and AS-PAC systems. Cr(VI) removal using the AS-PAC system was higher than using AS or PAC. The increase of Cr(VI) caused longer lag phase and lower observed specific growth rate (μ_obs), biomass yield (Y_X/S), and specific growth substrate consumption rate (q_S) of activated sludge; additionally, PAC did not enhance the growth kinetic parameters (μ_obs, Y_X/S, q_S). Cr(VI) reduction in AS-PAC system was the result of the additive effect of each individual Cr(VI) removal process.     

Enhancement of the activated sludge process by activated carbon produced from surplus biological sludge

Surplus biological sludge from wastewater treatment operations was converted into activated carbon and then added to the aerated vessel of an activated sludge process treating phenol and glucose. The addition of activated carbon, either sludge-based or commercial, enhanced phenol removal from 58 to 98.7% and from 87 to 93% for COD with feed concentrations of 100 mg phenol l^–1 and 2500 mg COD l^–1. No differences were found between the activated sludge-activated carbon bench scale continuous reactors operating with either commercial or sludge-based activated carbon in spite of the higher adsorption capacity of the former.     

Production of polyhydroxybutyrate by activated sludge performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal

In this study, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) – a biodegradable plastics material – was produced by activated sludge performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in batch experiments under anaerobic, aerobic and anaerobic/aerobic conditions. Under anaerobic conditions, the maximum PHB content of the dry biomass was 28.8% by weight, while under aerobic or anaerobic/aerobic conditions, the maximum PHB content was about 50%. The PHB production rate with respect to the volatile suspended solids (VSS) was: (i) 70 mg/(g VSS) h under aerobic conditions that followed anaerobic conditions, (ii) 156 mg/(g VSS) h under anaerobic condition, and (iii) 200 mg/(g VSS) h under aerobic conditions with energy also supplied from polyphosphate. A side stream, with initially anaerobic conditions for PHB accumulation and phosphorus release, and then aerobic conditions for PHB accumulation, was proposed. In this side stream, biomass with a high PHB content and a high PHB production rate could be both achieved.     

Isolation of rhodoquinone-containing chemoorganotrophic bacteria from activated sludge

Abstract Several strains of Gram-negative aerobic chemoheterotrophic bacteria which produced rhodoquinone were isolated from activated sludge. All isolates contained a rhodoquinone with eight isoprene units as a major component in addition to the corresponding homologue of ubiquinone. The isolates seemed to make up a single taxon because of their homogeneity in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, but could not be allocated to any known taxa of Gram-negative bacteria.     

城市污泥强制通风堆肥过程中的生物学和化学变化特征

采用间竭式强制通风堆肥法进行的肥堆体积约4m3,堆肥时间为53d的污泥堆肥试验表明,堆肥的第2天即达高温阶段(≥55℃)并能保持8d,平均最高温度达68℃,局部温度达74℃.粪大肠杆菌由开始时的1.41×105个·g-1降至试验结束时的2.32×101个·g-1.污泥堆肥过程中挥发性固体,总有机C、水溶性有机C、固体有机 C/N比和水溶性有机 C/有机 N比下降明显,而 N、P及重金属含量有所升高.随着堆肥的进程,在前1周堆肥过程中产生的氨氮大幅下降,硝酸盐含量随之升高.相应地,pH在第1周内升高,随后降低.堆肥40d左右,水芹(Lepidiumsativum L.)种子发芽指数即可达 80%.综合堆肥过程中堆温和化学与生物学变化特点,表明污泥堆肥在40d左右基本上接近腐熟,50d后达到完全腐熟.产品外观呈黑褐色,蓬松,无明显异味.