Alternative biological systems for the treatment of vinasse from wine.

This work studied alternative treatment schemes for the vinasse wastewater from wine distilleries aiming at overcoming the problems caused by the high nitrogen and sulfur concentrations. A plexiglas laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor of 20 L volume that was operated at 45°C and hydraulic retention time 1 d, was included in all the examined systems. System 1 was the conventional UASB reactor, system 2 was the UASB reactor supplemented with iron.

Ethanol production from potato peel waste (PPW).

Considerable concern is caused by the problem of potato peel waste (PPW) to potato industries in Europe. An integrated, environmentally-friendly solution is yet to be found and is currently undergoing investigation. Potato peel is a zero value waste produced by potato processing plants.

Effect of temperature and aeration rate on co-composting of olive mill wastewater with olive stone wooden residues.

Co-composting of the solid residues and wastewater from the olive oil production process was examined as a potential bioremediation treatment for these wastes. Experimental results from a semi batch laboratory pilot plant were reported. Composting was performed for 20 days under constant moisture 40% and the temperature ranged from 55 to 72°C and the oxygen partial pressure from 10 to 17%.

Influence of vegetation and gravel mesh on the tertiary treatment of wastewater from a cosmetics industry.

To estimate the influence of gravel mesh (fine and coarse) and vegetation (Phragmites and Arundo) on the efficiency of a reed bed, a pilot plant was included after the wastewater treatment plant of a cosmetic industry treatment system according to a 22 factorial experimental design. The maximum biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phosphorous (TP) reduction was observed in the reactor, where Phragmites and fine gravel were used. In the reactor with Phragmites and coarse gravel, the maximum total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and total suspended solids (TSS) reduction was observed.

Inhibition kinetics of phenolic compounds in aerobic degradation of organic wastewaters.

This study proposed a kinetic model for the aerobic degradation of high strength organic wastewaters with high concentrations of phenolic compounds. The model was based on the conventional Monod kinetic equation incorporating phenols' inhibition. Furthermore, a methodology for determining biokinetic constants was proposed.