Down-flow fixed-structured bed reactor: An innovative reactor configuration applied to acid mine drainage treatment and metal recovery

Author(s)

Gouvea de Godoi, Leandro Augusto ; Foresti, Eugenio ; Rissato Zamariolli Damianovic, Marcia Helena

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Environmental Management; v. 197, p. 597-604, JUL 15 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

A down-flow fixed-structured bed reactor (DFSBR) was operated for 277 days treating a mixture of synthetic substrates simulating an iron-rich acid mine drainage (AMD) and the soluble fraction of a sugarcane vinasse. The synthetic sugarcane vinasse was used as electron donor for biological sulfate reduction, resulting in influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) close to 4000 mg L-1 and volumetric organic loading rate of 4.8 g L(-1)d(-1). The influent sulfate concentration was kept close to 2000 mg L-1 (volumetric sulfate loading rate of 2.5 g L(-1)d(-1)) while a gradual increase of iron concentration (2-400 mg L-1) was applied. COD removal efficiencies were higher than 93% and the sulfate removal efficiencies were close to 100%. With the highest iron concentration (400 mg L-1) applied, the DFSBR achieved 95% of iron removal efficiency. The precipitate collected at the reactor bottom showed increasing concentrations of fixed suspended solids (FSS), as well as an increasing proportion of iron, indicating the possibility of metal recovery from the system. The association between sulfidogenic and methanogenic processes also enables energy recovery from the methane-rich biogas produced. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06246-7 - Biorefinery concept applied to biological wastewater treatment plants: environmental pollution control coupled with material and energy recovery
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants