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Evaluation of strategies to methane application as electron donor in denitrification process

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Author(s):
Rachel Biancalana Costa
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Carlos.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Eugenio Foresti; Juliana Calábria de Araujo; Valéria Maia Merzel; Guilherme Peixoto; Maria Bernadete Amâncio Varesche Silva
Advisor: Eugenio Foresti
Abstract

This work aimed to develop the methane (CH4) application as electron donor to denitrification under anoxic conditions for post-treatment of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) effluent, applied in sewage treatment systems. The study was conducted in five stages, in which methane was provided as the sole organic carbon source. In Stage 1, methanotrophic denitrification was assessed in Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR) inoculated with a blend of marine and mangrove sediments (SED-SBR) or anaerobic sludge (LAn-SBR). For both inocula. In Stage 2, strategies for the enrichment of methanotrophic-denitrifying community were evaluated. Two SBRs were operated: in one of them, biomass was immobilized (Imob-SBR) while the other was inoculated with suspended biomass (Susp-SBR). In Stage 3, methanotrophic denitrification was addressed in an Upflow Fixed-Structured Bed Reactor (Up-FSBR). In Stages 1 and 3, methane supported denitrification and cellular maintenance. In Stage 2, the consumption of oxidized nitrogen compounds was too low, and it was not possible to conclude which is the better strategy for enrichment of the methanotrophic-denitrifying community. In Stage 4, the biomass withdrawn from Up-FSBR was subjected to endogeny tests, in batch reactors. In each batch reactor, only nitrite or nitrate was provided, and both methane and methane-free conditions were tested. It was observed that nitrite and nitrate reduction occurred as a marginal process. In Stage 5, methane oxidation coupled to denitrification was assessed under both anoxic and microoxic conditions and both processes were stimulated under the latter. The obtained data suggest denitrifiers established a syntrophic relationship with methane-oxidizers, and when the latter was stimulated, the denitrification also occurred in greater extent. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/08527-8 - Evaluation of the potencial of methane as electron donor to denitrification process
Grantee:Rachel Biancalana Costa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)