Laboratory Studies on the Anaerobic Biosorption Process

• Published in: Water environment research 1995-11, Vol.67 (7), p.1104-1110
• Main Authors: Riffat, Rumana, Dague, Richard R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated sludge; Adsorption; ANAEROBIC TREATMENT; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Biomass; Biomass production; BIOSORPTION; Biotechnology; Chemical oxygen demand; Environment and pollution; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GRANULAR BIOMASS; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; ISOTHERM; Isotherms; MIXING; Particle size classes; Research Papers; Sorption; TEMPERATURE; Wastewater; Wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 1061-4303; 1554-7531
• DOI: 10.2175/106143095X133365

Biological solids have significant potential for sorption of soluble organic matter from wastewater streams. The anaerobic biosorption process uses the sorption capabilities of active biomass for the treatment of wastewater. Biosorption is a rapid process. Approximately 40% removal of organic matter was obtained in only 15 minutes after the substrate was brought into contact with the biomass. Anaerobic biomass was grown in 10-L source reactors operated at a constant temperature of 35°C. Biosorption experiments were performed with active biomass in 2-L batch reactors using synthetic milk as a substrate. The effects of mixing times, temperature, substrate concentration, biomass concentration, and granular biomass particle size were investigated. Temperture studies indicated increased uptake at higher temperature than at lower temperature. It was observed that wastes at temperatures as low as 7°C could be biosorbed without the application of external heat. Higher removals were obtained with the small granular biomass than with the large granules. Increasing the biomass concentration resulted in an increase in the percentage removal of organic matter. The results were expressed in terms of adsorption isotherms.