6533b822fe1ef96bd127cd6b

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Effect of chemical and biological surfactants on activated sludge of MBR system: Microscopic analysis and foam test

Marco CapodiciSalvatore NicosiaGaetano Di BellaMichele Torregrossa

subject

Environmental EngineeringSegmented filamentous bacteriachemistry.chemical_elementBioengineeringFraction (chemistry)MBRSurface-Active AgentsInk testBiopolymersBioreactorsPulmonary surfactantFoam testSurfactantWaste Management and DisposalBiological Oxygen Demand AnalysisMicroscopyChromatographyBacteriaSewageSettore ICAR/03 - Ingegneria Sanitaria-AmbientaleViscosityRenewable Energy Sustainability and the EnvironmentMembranes ArtificialGeneral MedicineActivated sludgeWastewaterchemistryChemical engineeringCarbonFoaming

description

Abstract A bench-scale MBR unit was operated, under stressing condition, with the aim of stimulating the onset of foaming in the activated sludge. Possible synergies between synthetic surfactants in the wastewater and biological surfactants (Extra-Cellular Polymeric Substances, EPSs) were investigated by changing C/N ratio. The growth of filamentous bacteria was also discussed. The MBR unit provided satisfactory overall carbon removal overall efficiencies: in particular, synthetic surfactants were removed with efficiency higher than 90% and 95% for non-ionic and ionic surfactants, respectively. Lab investigation suggested also the importance to reduce synthetic surfactants presence entering into mixed liquor: otherwise, their presence can significantly worsen the natural foaming caused by biological surfactants (EPSs) produced by bacteria. Finally, a new analytic method based on “ink test” has been proposed as a useful tool to achieve a valuation of EPSs bound fraction.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2015-02-01Bioresource Technology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.11.064