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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

A Two-Stage Aerobic/Anaerobic Denitrifying Horizontal Bioreactor Designed for Treating Ammonium and H2S Simultaneously

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Author(s):
Chinalia, F. A. [1] ; Garbossa, L. H. P. [2] ; Rodriguez, J. A. [3] ; Lapa, K. R. [2] ; Foresti, E. [2]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Bahia, Inst Ciencias & Saude, BR-40110100 Salvador, BA - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Engn Sao Carlos, Dept Hidraul & Saneamento, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Valle, Escuela Ingn Recursos Nat & Ambiente, Cali 25360 - Colombia
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology; v. 168, n. 6, p. 1643-1654, NOV 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

A two-stage bioreactor was operated for a period of 140 days in order to develop a post-treatment process based on anaerobic bioxidation of sulfite. This process was designed for simultaneously treating the effluent and biogas of a full-scale UASB reactor, containing significant concentrations of NH4 and H2S, respectively. The system comprised of two horizontal-flow bed-packed reactors operated with different oxygen concentrations. Ammonium present in the effluent was transformed into nitrates in the first aerobic stage. The second anaerobic stage combined the treatment of nitrates in the liquor with the hydrogen sulfide present in the UASB-reactor biogas. Nitrates were consumed with a significant production of sulfate, resulting in a nitrate removal rate of 0.43 kg N m(3) day(-1) and a parts per thousand yen92 % efficiency. Such a removal rate is comparable to those achieved by heterotrophic denitrifying systems. Polymeric forms of sulfur were not detected (elementary sulfur); sulfate was the main product of the sulfide-based denitrifying process. S-sulfate was produced at a rate of about 0.35 kg m(3) day(-1). Sulfur inputs as S-H2S were estimated at about 0.75 kg m(3) day(-1) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal rates did not vary significantly during the process. DGGE profiling and 16S rRNA identified Halothiobacillus-like species as the key microorganism supporting this process; such a strain has not yet been previously associated with such bioengineered systems. (AU)