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Anaerobic Treatment of Wastewater: Prof - Dr.ir. Piet Lens Unesco-Ihe

This document discusses anaerobic treatment of wastewater. It introduces anaerobic microorganisms and their role in natural ecosystems and technological applications. Technological uses include domestic and industrial wastewater treatment. Common anaerobic reactor systems for wastewater treatment are also described, such as UASB reactors. The document also discusses challenges with treating sulfate-rich wastewaters and strategies to reduce hydrogen sulfide concentrations.

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Kathleen May Dayao
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47 views

Anaerobic Treatment of Wastewater: Prof - Dr.ir. Piet Lens Unesco-Ihe

This document discusses anaerobic treatment of wastewater. It introduces anaerobic microorganisms and their role in natural ecosystems and technological applications. Technological uses include domestic and industrial wastewater treatment. Common anaerobic reactor systems for wastewater treatment are also described, such as UASB reactors. The document also discusses challenges with treating sulfate-rich wastewaters and strategies to reduce hydrogen sulfide concentrations.

Uploaded by

Kathleen May Dayao
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Anaerobic treatment of wastewater

Prof.Dr.ir. Piet Lens UNESCO-IHE [email protected]

Contents
I. Introduction: what are anaerobes? II. Anaerobes in natural ecosystems III. Technological use of anaerobes A. Domestic wastewater treatment B. Industrial wastewater treatment C. Treatment of sulfur rich wastewaters D. Off gas treatment Conclusions

I. Introduction: what are anaerobes?


0 H E (W) [V]

Process

Electron couple

Standard free energy 0 G H (W)/n [kJ/mol]

Figure 20.1 Ecological process sequence according to the reduction potentials,

Anaerobic Conversion of Organic Matter


Organic Polymers proteins carbohydrates lipids Hydrolysis Mono- and oligomers amino acids, sugars, fatty acids Acidogenesis Volatile Fatty Acids Lactate Ethanol

Acetogenesis Acetate Methanogenesis

H2 / CO2

CH4 / CO2

Methanogens: Methanosaeta sp.

Methanogens: Methanosarcina sp.

Sulfate reducers

Desulfobacca acetoxidans Desulforhabdus amnigenus

II. Anaerobes in natural ecosystems Abundant in anaerobic parts of rivers, sediments, sewers (bad smell of sewage systems), Methane emission of rice fields: green house gases!! Archae bacteria: Special cell wall Special cell organels Different physiology ---> Representatives of earlier life? Interest of astrobiology in anaerobes

Technological use of anaerobes


Immobilisation of microorganisms in granules/biofilms Uncoupling of the Solid Retention Time from the Liquid Retention Time

Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB)


biogas effluent settler
gas cap

Main features UASB: - Uncoupling of SRT - HRT - No electro-mechanical parts inside - High loading rates (10-15 kg/m3.d) - Relative small footprint - Auto-immobilisation / granulation

sludge bed

influent

A. Domestic wastewater treatment

Decentralised sanitation and reuse Single house level

Closed wastewater and nutrient cycles in buildings

Domestic wastewater - Community level Decentralised sanitation and reuse

Closed water and nutrient cycles in a community

B. Industrial wastewater treatment

Reactor systems for anaerobic treatment


Fluidised Bed 2% EGSB 3% Hybrid reactor 4% IC-reactor 2% Fixed film reactor 2% Other 1%

Anaerobic contact process 11%

UASB 62%

BIOMASS FERMENTATION FOR USE IN FUEL CELLS


Correlation of fuel yield & plant design?
Biomass Resource Biomass Fermentation Fuel Upgrading

Quality of the Output?

Where to implement the Process?


Energy Consumer

Fuel Cell for Heat & Power Generation

What kind of input? Is this Holistic?

W hich Type of FC? Which components to separate? Socioeconomic & legislative barriers?

C. Biological treatment of sulfate rich wastewaters

Anaerobic Conversion of Organic Matter with Sulfate


Organic Polymers proteins carbohydrates lipids Mono- and oligomers amino acids, sugars, fatty acids

Volatile Fatty Acids Lactate Ethanol

H2 / CO2

Acetate

CH4 / CO2 Sulfate reduction H2S / CO2

Treatment strategies for S-rich wastewater


The key is reduction of the H2S concentration, e.g. by: Increase of the reactor pH Addition of Fe-salts in the reactor Stripping of H2S by biogas recycling and biogas scrubbing Effluent recycling after sulfide removal Separation of sulfide production and methanogenesis Thermophilic treatment (T > 50 oC)

Kinetics
Competition of SRB and MB for acetate

Andr Visser (PhD in 1995)


Gradual conversion of a methanogenic bioreactor into a sulfidogenic reactor

Budelco II

00096

Conclusions

Anaerobic organisms are fascinating microorganisms with a huge potential. Anaerobes are ubiquitous and can be helpful in studying early planet life. Their use in environmental technology is well established.

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