Feasibility of anaerobic co-digestion of pig waste and paper sludge.

Pig waste (PW) and paper sludge (PS) possess complementary properties that can be combined for successful anaerobic digestion. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests revealed that a PW:PS 3:1 (v/v) ratio had the highest normalized CH(4)-COD removal (54%), while PS had the lowest value (11%) and PW had 44%. Batch BMP tests revealed a significant decrease in lag times for methane production in the order of PW:PS 1:3 (14 days) View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effect of turbulence on the disintegration rate of flushable consumer products.

A previously developed model for the physical disintegration of flushable consumer products is expanded by investigating the effects of turbulence on the rate of physical disintegration. Disintegration experiments were conducted with cardboard tampon applicators at 100, 150, and 200 rotations per minute, corresponding to Reynold's numbers of 25,900, 39,400, and 52,900, respectively, which were estimated by using computational fluid dynamics modeling. The experiments were simulated with the disintegration model to obtain best-fit values of the kinetic and distribution parameters.

Importance of OH(-) transport from cathodes in microbial fuel cells.

Cathodic limitation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is considered an important hurdle towards practical application as a bioenergy technology. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) needs to occur in MFCs under significantly different conditions compared to chemical fuel cells, including a neutral pH. The common reason cited for cathodic limitation is the difficulty in providing protons to the catalyst sites.

Using electron balances and molecular techniques to assess trichoroethene-induced shifts to a dechlorinating microbial community.

This study demonstrated the utility in correlating performance and community structure of a trichloroethene (TCE)-dechlorinating microbial consortium; specifically dechlorinators, fermenters, homoacetogens, and methanogens. Two complementary approaches were applied: predicting trends in the microbial community structure based on an electron balance analysis and experimentally assessing the community structure via pyrosequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Fill-and-draw reactors inoculated with the DehaloR^2 consortium were operated at five TCE-pulsing rates between 14 and 168 µmol/10-day-SRT, amended with TCE every 2 days to give peak concentrations between 0.

Managing methanogens and homoacetogens to promote reductive dechlorination of trichloroethene with direct delivery of H2 in a membrane biofilm reactor.

A study with H(2)-based membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs) was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of direct H(2) delivery in ex-situ reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes. Trichloroethene (TCE) could be reductively dechlorinated to ethene with up to 95% efficiency as long as the pH-increase effects of methanogens and homoacetogens were managed and dechlorinators were selected for during start-up by creating H(2) limitation. Based on quantitative PCR, the dominant bacterial groups in the biofilm at the end of reactor operation were Dehalococcoides, Geobacter, and homoacetogens.

Treatment of alcohol distillery wastewater using a Bacteroidetes-dominant thermophilic microbial fuel cell.

Simultaneous electricity generation and distillery wastewater (DWW) treatment were accomplished using a thermophilic microbial fuel cell (MFC). The results suggest that thermophilic MFCs, which require less energy for cooling the DWW, can achieve high efficiency for electricity generation and also reduce sulfate along with oxidizing complex organic substrates. The generated current density (2.

2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) photobiodegradation and its effect on community structure.

The mechanisms occurring in a photolytic circulating-bed biofilm reactor (PCBBR) treating 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) were investigated using batch experiments following three protocols: photodegradation alone (P), biodegradation alone (B), and intimately coupled photodegradation and biodegradation (P&B). Initially, the ceramic particles used as biofilm carriers rapidly adsorbed TCP, particularly in the B experiments. During the first 10 min, the TCP removal rate for P&B was equal to the sum of the rates for P and B, and P&B continued to have the greatest TCP removal, with the TCP concentration approaching zero only in the P&B experiments.

Disruption of Synechocystis PCC 6803 for lipid extraction.

In order to extract intracellular lipids from cyanobacterial Synechocystis PCC 6803 for biofuel production, seven cell-disruption methods - autoclaving, bead beating, freeze drying, French press, microwave, pulsed electric fields (PEF), and ultrasound - were tested prior to lipid extraction to make intracellular lipids more accessible by organic solvents. The different methods brought about distinct disruption effects to the cell envelope, plasma membrane, and thylakoid membranes that were related to extraction efficiency. Microwave, PEF, and ultrasound with temperature control had significant enhancement of lipid extraction (9-13% increases).

Internal loop photobiodegradation reactor (ILPBR) for accelerated degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX).

The internal loop photobiodegradation reactor (ILPBR) was evaluated for the degradation of the pharmaceutical sulfamethoxazole (SMX) using batch experiments following three protocols: photolysis alone (P), biodegradation alone (B), and intimately coupled photolysis and biodegradation (P&B). SMX was removed more rapidly by P&B than by either P or B alone, and the corresponding dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removals by P&B also were higher. The faster SMX removal probably was due to a synergy between photolysis and the rapid biodegradation of SMX by the biofilm.

A biogeochemical framework for bioremediation of plutonium(V) in the subsurface environment.

Accidental release of plutonium (Pu) from storage facilities in the subsurface environment is a concern for the safety of human beings and the environment. Given the complexity of the subsurface environment and multivalent state of Pu, we developed a quantitative biogeochemical framework for bioremediation of Pu(V)O(2) (+) in the subsurface environment. We implemented the framework in the biogeochemical model CCBATCH by expanding its chemical equilibrium for aqueous complexation of Pu and its biological sub-models for including Pu's toxicity and reduction reactions.

A steady-state biofilm model for simultaneous reduction of nitrate and perchlorate, part 2: parameter optimization and results and discussion.

Part 1 of this work developed a steady-state, multispecies biofilm model for simultaneous reduction of nitrate and perchlorate in the H(2)-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) and presented a novel method to solve it. In Part 2, the half-maximum-rate concentrations and inhibition coefficients of nitrate and perchlorate are optimized by fitting data from experiments with different combinations of influent nitrate and perchlorate concentrations. The model with optimized parameters is used to quantitatively and systematically explain how three important operating conditions (nitrate loading, perchlorate loading, and H(2) pressure) affect nitrate and perchlorate reduction and biomass distribution in these reducing biofilms.

A steady-state biofilm model for simultaneous reduction of nitrate and perchlorate, part 1: model development and numerical solution.

A multispecies biofilm model is developed for simultaneous reduction of nitrate and perchlorate in the H(2)-based membrane biofilm reactor. The one-dimension model includes dual-substrate Monod kinetics for a steady-state biofilm with five solid and five dissolved components. The solid components are autotrophic denitrifying bacteria, autotrophic perchlorate-reducing bacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, inert biomass, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).

Effect of NaCl on nitrate removal from ion-exchange spent brine in the membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR).

The H(2)-based membrane biofilm reactor was used to remove nitrate from synthetic ion-exchange brine at NaCl concentrations from ∼3 to 30 g/L. NaCl concentrations below 20 g/L did not affect the nitrate removal flux as long as potassium was available to generate osmotic tolerance for high sodium, the H(2) pressure was adequate, and membrane fouling was eliminated. Operating pHs of 7-8 and periodic citric acid washes controlled membrane fouling and enabled reactor operation for 650 days.

The role of homoacetogenic bacteria as efficient hydrogen scavengers in microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs).

We evaluated the consumption of hydrogen gas at the anode of a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and characterized the significance of new interactions between anode respiring bacteria (ARB) and homo-acetogens. We demonstrated the significance of biofilm limitation for direct consumption of H(2) over acetate by ARB, using the deep biofilm model. Selective inhibition of the major competing hydrogen sink at the biofilm anode, methanogenesis, resulted in significant increase in electron recovery as electric current (∼10-12 A/m(2)).

2,4-DNT removal in intimately coupled photobiocatalysis: the roles of adsorption, photolysis, photocatalysis, and biotransformation.

The removal of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) by simultaneous UV-photo(cata)lysis and biodegradation was explored using intimately coupled photolysis/photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) with two novel porous carriers. First, a porous ceramic carrier was used to attach the photocatalyst (TiO₂) on its exterior and accumulate biomass in its interior. UV irradiation alone decomposed 71% of the 2,4-DNT in 60 h, and TiO₂ catalyst improved the photolysis to 77%.

Degradation of reactive dyes in a photocatalytic circulating-bed biofilm reactor.

Decolorization and mineralization of reactive dyes by intimately coupled TiO₂-photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) on a novel TiO₂-coated biofilm carrier were investigated in a photocatalytic circulating-bed biofilm reactor (PCBBR). Two typical reactive dyes--Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Reactive Yellow 86 (RY86)--showed similar first-order kinetics when being photocatalytically decolorized at low pH (~4-5) in batch experiments. Photocatalytic decolorization was inhibited at neutral pH in the presence of phosphate or carbonate buffer, presumably due to electrostatic repulsion from negatively charged surface sites on TiO₂, radical scavenging by phosphate or carbonate, or both.

Effect of pH on nitrate and selenate reduction in flue gas desulfurization brine using the H2-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR).

Increased tightening of air regulations is leading more electric utilities to install flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems. These systems produce brine containing high concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, and selenate which must be removed before discharge. The H2-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) was shown to consistently remove nitrate, nitrite, and selenate at high efficiencies.

Interactions between perchlorate and nitrate reductions in the biofilm of a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor.

We studied the microbial functional and structural interactions between nitrate (NO(3)(-)) and perchlorate (ClO(4)(-)) reductions in the hydrogen (H(2))-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). When H(2) was not limiting, ClO(4)(-) and NO(3)(-) reductions were complete, and the MBfR's biofilm was composed mainly of bacteria from the ε- and β-proteobacteria classes, with autotrophic genera Sulfuricurvum, Hydrogenophaga, and Dechloromonas dominating the biofilm. Based on functional-gene and pyrosequencing assays, Dechloromonas played the most important role in ClO(4)(-) reduction, while Sulfuricurvum and Hydrogenophaga were responsible for NO(3)(-) reduction.

Effects of temperature shifts on growth rate and lipid characteristics of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 in a bench-top photobioreactor.

Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 exhibited a high degree of variation in biomass and lipid production rates in response to temperature changes in a photobioreactor. Compared with an optimal temperature of 30-33°C, a higher temperature of 44°C and lower temperatures of 22°C and 18°C severely inhibited the specific growth rate (up to a 66% decrease), biomass production rate (up to a 71% decrease), nutrient utilization rates (up to a 77% decrease), and lipid production rate (up to a 80% decrease).

Effects of solids retention time on methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion of thickened mixed sludge.

When a bench-scale digester fed thickened mixed sludge was operated over an SRT range of 4-20 days, removal efficiencies for total chemical oxygen demand and volatile suspended solids declined with decreasing SRT (especially <10 days), but methanogenesis was stable for SRT as low as 5 days. Quantitative PCR analyses showed that methanogens declined steadily for SRT<10 days, with the acetate-cleaving Methanosaetaceae becoming more dominant. Clone-library analyses indicated significant shifts in bacterial population from 20 to 4 day SRT: declining Chloroflexi (28 to 4.

Wastewater as a resource: a unique approach to achieving energy sustainability.

A wastewater-treatment flowsheet was developed to integrate uniquely designed biological processes with physical-chemical unit processes, allowing conversion of the organic carbon in the wastewater to methane, the removal and recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen from the wastewater, and the production of water suitable for reuse. In the flowsheet, energy is derived from the wastewater by first shunting a large fraction of the organic carbon in the wastewater to a solids slurry which is treated via anaerobic digestion. The anaerobic digestion system consists of focused pulsed (FP) pretreatment coupled to anaerobic membrane bioreactors (MBRs).

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol degradation using a novel TiO2-coated biofilm carrier: roles of adsorption, photocatalysis, and biodegradation.

Intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) offers potential for degrading biorecalcitrant and toxic organic compounds. This study reports on a novel sponge-type, TiO(2)-coated biofilm carrier that showed significant adherence of TiO(2) and ability to accumulate biomass in its interior. This carrier was tested for ICPB in a continuous-flow photocatalytic circulating-bed biofilm reactor (PCBBR) to mineralize 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP), which is biorecalcitrant.

Integrated photocatalytic-biological reactor for accelerated 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation and mineralization.

An integrated photocatalytic-biological reactor (IPBR) was used for accelerated degradation and mineralization of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) through simultaneous, intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation in one reactor. Intimate coupling was realized by circulating the IPBR's liquid contents between a TiO(2) film on mat glass illuminated by UV light and honeycomb ceramics as biofilm carriers. Three protocols-photocatalysis alone (P), biodegradation alone (B), and integrated photocatalysis and biodegradation (photobiodegradation, P&B)-were used for degradation of different initial TCP concentrations.

Soluble microbial products and their implications in mixed culture biotechnology.

Soluble microbial products (SMP) are soluble organic compounds released during normal biomass metabolism in mixed culture biotechnology. In this review, we give the up-to-date status on several essential SMP issues: mechanisms of SMP formation, differentiation between utilization-associated products (UAP) and biomass-associated products (BAP), biodegradability of the SMP components, how formation of SMP by autotrophs controls effluent quality and supports a substantial population of heterotrophs, mathematical modeling that includes SMP, and improving effluent quality by controlling SMP. We also present two timely examples that highlight our current understanding and give an indication of how SMP affects the performance of modern mixed culture biotechnology: membrane fouling of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and the dynamics of SMP in anaerobic systems.

Advanced control for photoautotrophic growth and CO2-utilization efficiency using a membrane carbonation photobioreactor (MCPBR).

A membrane carbonation (MC) module uses bubbleless gas-transfer membranes to supply inorganic carbon (C(i)) for photoautotrophic cyanobacterial growth in a photobioreactor (PBR); this creates the novel MCPBR system, which allows precise control of the CO(2)-delivery rate and minimal loss of CO(2) to the atmosphere. Experiments controlled the supply rate of C(i) to the main PBR by regulating the recirculation rate (Q(R)) between the module of MC chamber and the main PBR. The experiments evaluated how Q(R) controls the CO(2) mass transport in MC chamber and how it connects with the biomass production rate, C(i) concentration, pH in the PBR, and CO(2)-utilization efficiency.