Biomedical subjects

M Zaiat

Publications and source records attributed to M Zaiat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effects of solid-phase mass transfer on the performance of a stirred anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass.

This work reports on experiments for an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass which aimed at verifying the effects of solid-phase mass transfer on the reactor's overall performance. Four experiments were carried out at 30 degrees C with cubic polyurethane foam particles previously inoculated with anaerobic biomass. Different solid-phase mass transfer conditions were reached in each experiment by varying the size of the bioparticle from 0.5 to 3.0 cm. The reactor was fed with a low-strength synthetic wastewater containing protein, carbohydrates and lipid and the effects of mass transfer were evaluated through dynamic substrate concentration profiles during 8-hour batch cycles. A modified first-order kinetic model provided a good representation of the behavior of the dynamic concentration profiles. The solid-phase mass transfer was found to slightly affect the concentration of effluent organic matter expressed as chemical oxygen demand (COD). The concentration of residual effluent substrate increased as the size of the bioparticle was increased. The cycle time was not affected as the size of the bioparticle was increased from 0.5 to 2.0 cm. However, it was found that the cycle time in a reactor with 3.0-cm cubic particles should be higher than that required in systems with smaller particles. The apparent first-order kinetic parameter was estimated as 0.59+/-0.01 h(-1) for experiments with bioparticle sizes ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 cm, while a value of 0.48 h(-1) was obtained in the experiment with 3.0-cm bioparticles.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2006

Evaluation of support materials for the immobilization of sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea.

This paper reports on the adhesion of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methanogenic archaea on polyurethane foam (PU), vegetal carbon (VC), low-density polyethylene (PE) and alumina-based ceramics (CE). Anaerobic differential reactors fed with a sulfate-rich synthetic wastewater were used to evaluate the formation of a biofilm. The PU presented the highest specific biomass concentration throughout the experiment, achieving 872 mg TVS/g support, while 84 mg TVS/g support was the maximum value obtained for the other materials. FISH results showed that bacterial cells rather than archaeal cells were predominant on the biofilms. These cells, detected with EUB338 probe, accounted for 76.2% (+/-1.6%), 79.7% (+/-1.3%), 84.4% (+/-1.4%) and 60.2% (+/-1.0%) in PU, VC, PE and CE, respectively, of the 4'6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-stained cells. From these percentages, 44.8% (+/-2.1%), 55.4% (+/-1.2%), 32.7% (+/-1.4%) and 18.1% (+/-1.1%), respectively, represented the SRB group. Archaeal cells, detected with ARC915 probe, accounted for 33.1% (+/-1.6%), 25.4% (+/-1.3%), 22.6% (+/-1.1%) and 41.9% (+/-1.0%) in PU, VC, PE and CE, respectively, of the DAPI-stained cells. Sulfate reduction efficiencies of 39% and 45% and mean chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 86% and 90% were achieved for PU and VC, respectively. The other two supports, PE and CE, provided mean COD removal efficiencies of 84% and 86%, respectively. However, no sulfate reduction was observed with these supports.

Aluminum Oxide↗

PubMed2006

Kinetics, mass transfer and hydrodynamics in a packed bed aerobic reactor fed with anaerobically treated domestic sewage.

This study presents an assessment of the kinetic, mass transfer and hydrodynamic parameters of a pilot-scale fixed bed reactor containing immobilized biomass in polyurethane matrices and fed with the effluent of a horizontal-flow fixed bed anaerobic reactor, which was used to treat domestic sewage. It was found that the liquid-solid and intra-particle mass transfer resistances significantly affected the overall oxygen consumption rate and that mechanical agitation could minimize such resistances. The volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa) values for superficial air velocities between 8.4 cm min(-1) and 57.0 cm min(-1) varied from 20.8 h(-1) to 58.8 h(-1) for tap water, and 16.8 h(-1) to 53.0 h(-1) for the anaerobic pre-treated effluent. The intrinsic oxygen uptake rate was estimated to be 19.9 mgO2 gVSS(-1) h(-1). A first-order kinetic model with residual concentration was considered to adequately represent the COD removal rate, whereas nitrogen conversion was considered to be well represented by a model of pseudo-first-order reaction in series. It was also found that the ammonium conversion to nitrite was the limiting step of the overall nitrogen conversion rate. The hydrodynamic behavior of the reactor was represented by three to four completely mixed reactors in series.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗

PubMed2006

Influence of the addition of sulphate and ferric ions in a methanogenic anaerobic packed-bed reactor treating gasoline-contaminated water.

Benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) are relatively soluble aromatic compounds of gasoline. Gasoline storage tank leakages generally lead to an extensive contamination of groundwater. In the natural environment for instance, these compounds might be biodegraded under a variety of reducing potentials. The objective of this work was to examine the influence of the addition of sulphate and Fe(OH)3 in a methanogenic horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized-biomass reactor treating gasoline-contaminated water. Three different conditions were evaluated: methanogenic, sulphidogenic and sulphidogenic with the addition of ferric ions. Methanogenic condition showed the higher BTX degradation rates and the addition of sulphate negatively affected BTX removal rates with the production of H2S. However, the addition of ferric ions resulted in the precipitation of sulphur, improving BTX degradation by the consortium. Metanosphaera sp., Methanosarcina barkeri and Methanosaeta concilii were identified in the consortium by means of 16S and directly related to the addition of ferric ions.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed2005

The performance of an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor treating domestic sewage colonized by anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria.

There are few reports on morphological characterization of microbial population colonizing anaerobic bioreactors and the aim of this work was to access such variable in an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor treating the University of Sao Paulo (Sao Carlos city, Brazil) domestic sewage. This pilot-scale reactor (1.2m3) has been treating 0.65 m3 of liquid waste under cycles of 8h. The ASBBR has the distinct characteristics of being filled with support material for biomass attachment with the aim of skipping the sedimentation phase during the operational cycles, as it is commonly observed in anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBR). Physical, chemical and physico-chemical variables were accessed in the influent and in the effluent for performance evaluation. Microbial characterization was made by means of direct microscopy and samples were taken over 150 d with a 25 d period interval. The ASBBR attained approximately 60% of COD removal efficiency. Microscopic analysis of biomass showed the presence of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria probably influencing the ASBBR performance in the domestic sewage treatment. It is very likely that the exclusion of phototrophic sulfur bacteria by efficiently restraining the light would enhance the bioreactor efficiency.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2005

Ethanol and toluene removal in a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactor in the presence of sulfate.

In this study it is reported the operation of a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor under sulfate-reducing condition which was also exposed to different amounts of ethanol and toluene. The system was inoculated with sludge taken from up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors treating refuses from a poultry slaughterhouse. The HAIB reactor comprised of an immobilized biomass on polyurethane foam and ferrous and sodium sulfate solutions were used (91 and 550 mg/L, respectively), to promote a sulfate-reducing environment. Toluene was added at an initial concentration of 2.0 mg/L followed by an increased range of different amendments (5, 7, and 9 mg/L). Ethanol was added at an initial concentration of 170 mg/L followed by an increased range of 960 mg/L. The reactor was operated at 30(+/-2) degrees C with hydraulic detention time of 12 h. Organic matter removal efficiency was close to 90% with a maximum toluene degradation rate of 0.06 mg(toluene)/mg(vss)/d. Sulfate reduction was close to 99.9% for all-nutritional amendments. Biofilm microscopic characterization revealed a diversity of microbial morphologies and DGGE-profiling showed a variation of bacterial and sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) populations, which were significantly associated with toluene amendments. Diversity of archaea remained unaltered during the different phases of this experiment. Thus, this study demonstrates that compact units of HAIB reactors, under sulfate reducing conditions, are a potential alternative for in situ aromatics bioremediation.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2004

Influence of the carbon source on the anaerobic biomass adhesion on polyurethane foam matrices.

This work focuses on the influence of the source of organic matter on the process of biomass adhesion on polyurethane foam matrices in fixed-bed anaerobic immobilized-sludge reactors. Five experiments were performed in differential 'gradientless' reactors fed with meat extract (protein), glucose, starch, lipids and complex substrate. The polyurethane foam colonization process was monitored temporally in each experiment to identify the amount of biomass buildup, extracellular polymer production and the morphological characteristics of the cells adhering to the support. Different immobilization patterns were observed for the different substrates used. The morphological variety was found to be dependent on the substrate constituents. Polymer excretion was apparently crucial in the colonization process of the polyurethane matrices and was likely related to cell fixation on the support. The production of extracellular polymeric substances speeded up the initial fixation of microorganisms on the polyurethane surface.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2004

Formaldehyde degradation in an anaerobic packed-bed bioreactor.

The development of appropriate technologies for the treatment of formaldehyde discharged into the environment is important to minimize its impact. Aerobic systems have been employed, although alternative anaerobic treatments have also been widely studied, mainly due to their low energy consumption and sludge production. However, toxic substances can lead to disturbances in anaerobic reactors. Some research has already been developed on formaldehyde anaerobic biological treatment, but no consensus has yet been reached about its behavior nor has the most efficient system been identified. Aiming at finding supporting evidence for this issue, therefore, this study investigated the degradation and toxicity of formaldehyde in a Horizontal-Flow Anaerobic Immobilized Sludge Reactor. Formaldehyde concentrations of 26.2-1158.6 mg HCHO/L were applied in the reactor, resulting in formaldehyde and chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies of 99.7% and 92%, respectively. Volatile fatty acids with up to five carbons, found during the degradation of formaldehyde, are believed to indicate that the degradation followed routes unlike those suggested in the literature, which reports the formation of intermediates such as methanol and formic acid. The Monod kinetic model adhered to the experimental data well, with apparent kinetic parameters estimated as r(app)max) = 2.79 x 10(-3) mg HCHO/mg SSVh and K (app)(s) = 242.8 mg HCHO/L.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2004

Effects of feeding strategies on the performance of an anaerobic discontinuous reactor containing immobilized biomass with circulation system for liquid-phase mixing.

Data on the influence of feeding strategy on the performance of a fed-batch anaerobic sequencing reactor containing biomass immobilized on polyurethane foam and subjected to liquid phase circulation are presented and discussed. Six-hour cycles, temperature of 30 degrees C and circulation flow rate of 6 L/h were used. During each cycle 890 mL of synthetic domestic wastewater, with organic matter concentration of 500 mgCOD/L were fed to the reactor. The feeding strategies were implemented using fill times of 6 min (batch mode), 60, 120, 240 (fed-batch/batch mode) and 360 min (fed-batch mode). The system attained high efficiency and stability for all the operating conditions, and the substrate removal efficiency based on filtered samples presented a slight decrease from 85% to 81% when fill time was increased from 6 min to 360 min. A model considering a first-order kinetic equation was fitted to the experimental data. The apparent kinetic parameters for both batch and fed-batch phases were estimated, thus permitting evaluation of the influence of the feeding strategy on the reactor performance. The current system may be considered flexible in terms of the operating conditions it is subjected to.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2004

Stirred anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass: a behavior study when submitted to different fill times.

The effect of the filling stage on the behavior of a mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing biomass immobilized on 1 cm polyurethane foam cubes was investigated. The reactor was made of acrylic with a capacity of 6.3 L, treating per cycle 2.5 L synthetic low-strength wastewater with a concentration of 500 mgCOD/L, at 30+/-1 degrees C. Eight-hour cycles (tC) and agitation of 500 rpm were utilized. At the beginning of each cycle 60% of the wastewater volume was treated, sufficient to completely cover the bed. The remaining volume was added at different fill times (tF) of 10, 120, 240, 260 and 480 min. The results obtained showed that ratios of tF/tC < or = 0.5 enabled organic matter removal higher than 75% and 70% for filtered and non-filtered samples, respectively. Ratios of tF/tC > 0.5, despite operation stability, resulted in loss of efficiency and formation of viscous material, similar to extra-cellular polymeric substances.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2003

Integrated horizontal-flow anaerobic and radial-flow aerobic reactors for the removal of organic matter and nitrogen from domestic sewage.

This paper presents the conception and discusses the results obtained from the operation of an integrated biological anaerobic/aerobic/anaerobic system composed of horizontal-flow anaerobic and radial-flow aerobic reactors for domestic sewage treatment. The performance of a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactor, with five stages,followed by a radial-flow aerobic immobilized biomass reactor was evaluated along 22 weeks. After the 14th week, the last stage of the HAIB reactor was used as a denitrifying unit. Polyurethane foam cubic matrices with 1-cm sides were used as support for biomass immobilization in all the units. The influent domestic sewage presented mean chemical oxygen demand of 365 +/- 71 mg. 1(-1) and the temperature was 23 +/- 3degrees C. The integrated system achieved COD removal efficiency of 90% while the maximum ammonium removal efficiency was 97% in the aerobic post-treatment unit. The nitrification process was found to be better represented by first-order reactions in series model. The apparent first-order kinetic coefficient for nitrate formation was about 50 times higher than that estimated for the nitrite formation. The denitrification process was well represented by a Monod-type kinetic model. The maximum specific denitrifying rate and the half-saturation coefficient were 2.9 x 10(-4) mg NO(3)(-)-N mg(-1) VSS h(-1) and 19.4 mg NO(3)(-)-N 1(-1), respectively.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗

PubMed2003

Influence of multiple substrates on anaerobic protein degradation in a packed-bed bioreactor.

Data on the influence of substrate composition on the anaerobic degradation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a bench-scale packed-bed reactor are presented and discussed from the standpoint of substrate consumption kinetics. The experiments were carried out in a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor fed with BSA based substrates. BSA was the sole carbon source in the first one, while the others were composed of BSA, carbohydrates and lipids. In all the experiments, the HAIB reactor was operated at the hydraulic detention time of 4 hours. The reactor's performance was evaluated based on physicochemical and chromatographic analyses and also on microscopy techniques. A kinetic model of irreversible first-order series-parallel reactions with two intermediate products was proposed, allowing evaluation of the microbial consortium's affinity with the substrates and the metabolic compounds formed. As the first-order kinetic model adhered quite well to the experimental data, the initial protein degradation rates (k) were estimated. The presence of carbohydrates and lipids led the initial protein degradation rate to be reduced. However, the system fed with protein and carbohydrates showed higher process stability.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2003

Operating feasibility of anaerobic whey treatment in a stirred sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass.

The scope of this work was to evaluate the operating feasibility of anaerobic whey treatment in a stirred sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) containing biomass immobilized on inert support. Assays were performed using 8-hour cycles and agitation rate of 200 rpm at 30 +/- 1 degrees C, for treating cheese whey containing 500 to 4,000 mgCOD/L, which corresponded to a volumetric organic load (VOL) of 0.81 to 5.7 gCOD/L x d. Stability and high organic matter removal of about 96% were achieved at effluent concentration below 160 mgCOD/L for non filtered samples. Operating stability of the reactor was shown to be strongly dependent on the alkalinity supplementing strategy during the assay, especially during the startup period, where NaHCO3 supplementation was approximately 20-30% of the chemical oxygen demand (mgNaHCO3/mgCOD). After startup, alkalinity supplementation could be reduced down to 10% maintaining efficiency and stability. Moreover, proper homogenization of the system through mechanical agitation was also shown to be indispensable, especially with increasing organic load.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Anaerobic degradation of BTEX in a packed-bed reactor.

A bench-scale horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor was assayed aiming to verify its performance in degrading benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). A 138 ml HAIB reactor filled with polyurethane foam matrices containing immobilized anaerobic biomass was initially fed with synthetic substrate containing protein, carbohydrates and lipids. Thereafter, BTEX degradation was evaluated in the presence of the co-solvents ethanol and lineal alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS), in two sequential experiments. The inlet BTEX concentration ranged from 1.3 to 27.0 mg/L of each compound and outlet concentrations were lower than 0.1 mg BTEX/L for both the experiments with ethanol and LAS. An active enriched microbial consortium was observed in the reactor, containing BTEX-degraders, and also acetogenic, acetotrophic and hydrogenotrophic microorganisms. The results from the most probable number (MPN) tests indicated a decrease in the number of methanogenic archae, while the number of anaerobic microorganisms in the biofilm was maintained during the experimental period. Methanogenic archae were found to represent less than 0.5 % of the total anaerobic organisms in the biomass inside the reactor.

Archaea↗

PubMed2001

Anaerobic sequencing batch reactors for wastewater treatment: a developing technology.

This paper describes and discusses the main problems related to anaerobic batch and fed-batch processes for wastewater treatment. A critical analysis of the literature evaluated the industrial application viability and proposed alternatives to improve operation and control of this system. Two approaches were presented in order to make this anaerobic discontinuous process feasible for industrial application: (1) optimization of the operating procedures in reactors containing self-immobilized sludge as granules, and (2) design of bioreactors with inert support media for biomass immobilization.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed2001

Influence of the liquid-phase mass transfer on the performance of a packed-bed bioreactor for wastewater treatment.

This paper reports on the influence of the liquid-phase mass transfer on the performance of a horizontal-flow, anaerobic, immobilized-biomass (HAIB) reactor treating low-strength wastewater. The HAIB reactor was subjected to liquid superficial velocities (vs) ranging from 10 to 50 cm h(-1), corresponding to hydraulic detention time (theta h) of 10-2 h. The best performance was achieved at an overall theta h of 3.3 h due to the interdependence of biochemical reactions and mass transfer mechanisms for process optimization. The HAIB reactor was provided with four intermediate sampling ports, and the values of v(s) were fixed to permit sampling at different ports corresponding to thetah of 2 h as vs increased. The chemical oxygen demand removal (COD) efficiencies increased from 68% to 82% with the increase of v(s) from 10 to 50 cm h(-1). It could be concluded that the performance of the HAIB reactor was improved significantly by increasing vs, thus decreasing the liquid-phase mass transfer resistance.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2001

Phenol degradation in horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor under mesophilic conditions.

A bench-scale horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor was assayed aiming to verify its potential use for phenol degradation. The HAIB reactor consisted of a bore-silicate tube (100 cm long; 5.04 cm diameter) filled with polyurethane foam matrices containing immobilized anaerobic sludge. Before being subjected to phenol, the reactor was fed with synthetic substrate at the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 1,028 mg.l-1 achieving 98% of COD removal efficiency. Thereafter, phenol as the sole carbon source was added under step-increasing concentrations from 50 to 1,200 mg.l-1. Phenol degradation was evaluated by gas chromatographic analysis of influent and effluent samples. Process monitoring included determinations of pH, volatile acids, alkalinity and COD. The HAIB reactor was operated at a constant hydraulic detention time (HDT) of 12 hours. After 33 days with 50 mg/l of phenol in the influent, the reactor achieved 98% of COD removal efficiency. Successful phenol degradation (efficiency removal of 99%) occurred for influent concentrations of 100, 300, 600, 900 and 1,200 mg.l-1 after 148, 58, 47, 29 and 7 days, respectively. The predominance of Methanosaeta-like, rods and methanogenic cocci could be observed in all the operating conditions, besides the presence of phenol oxidizing microorganisms as irregular rods. The results indicate that phenol degradation at very high rates can be accomplished in HAIB reactors containing acclimatized biomass.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2001

Influence of porosity and composition of supports on the methanogenic biofilm characteristics developed in a fixed bed anaerobic reactor.

This paper reports on the influence of the material porosity on the anaerobic biomass adhesion on four different inert matrices: polyurethane foam, PVC, refractory brick and special ceramic. The biofilm development was performed in a fixed-bed anaerobic reactor containing all the support materials and fed with a synthetic wastewater containing protein, lipids and carbohydrates. The data obtained from microscopic analysis and kinetic assays indicated that the material porosity has a crucial importance in the retention of the anaerobic biomass. The polyurethane foam particles and the special ceramic were found to present better retentive properties than the PVC and the refractory brick. The large specific surface area, directly related to material porosity, is fundamental to provide a large amount of attached biomass. However, different supports can provide specific conditions for the adherence of distinct microorganism types. The microbiological exams revealed a distinction in the support colonization. A predominance of methanogenic archaeas resembling Methanosaeta was observed both in the refractory brick and the special ceramic. Methanosarcina-like microorganisms were predominant in the PVC and the polyurethane foam matrices.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗