Abstract

A continuous fluidized bed bioreactor (FBBR) with nylon support particles was used to treat synthetic sulfide wastewater at different hydraulic retention time of 25, 50 and 75 min and upflow velocity of 14, 17 and 20 m/hr. The effects of upflow velocity, hydraulic retention time and reactor operation time on sulfide oxidation rate were studied using statistical model. Mixed culture obtained from the activated sludge, taken from tannery effluent treatment plant, was used as a source for microorganisms. The diameter and density of the nylon particles were 2-3 mm and 1140 kg/m3, respectively. Experiments were carried out in the reactor at a temperature of (30 +/- 2) degrees C, at a fixed bed height of 16 cm after the formation of biofilm on the surface of support particles. Biofilm thickness reached (42 +/- 3) microm after 15 days from reactor start-up. The sulfide oxidation, sulfate and sulfur formation is examined at all hydraulic retention times and upflow velocities. The results indicated that almost 90%-92% sulfide oxidation was achieved at all hydraulic retention times. Statistical model could explain 94% of the variability and analysis of variance showed that upflow velocity and hydraulic retention time slightly affected the sulfide oxidation rate. The highest sulfide oxidation of 92% with 70% sulfur was obtained at hydraulic retention time of 75 min and upflow velocity of 14 m/hr.

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Authors

Midha V, Jha MK, Dey A

Institution

Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar 144011, India. barkha75@rediffmail.com

Source

Journal of environmental sciences (China) 24:3 2012 pg 512-9

MeSH

Bacteria
Biofilms
Bioreactors
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Nylons
Oxidation-Reduction
Sulfates
Sulfides
Sulfur
Waste Disposal, Fluid

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22655367