Sludge reduction by uncoupling metabolism: SBR tests with para-nitrophenol and a commercial uncoupler

Nowadays cost reduction is a very important issue in wastewater treatment plants. One way, is to minimize the sludge production. Microorganisms break down the organic matter into inorganic compounds through catabolism. Uncoupling metabolism is a method which promote catabolism reactions instead of a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental management 2016-11, Vol.182, p.406-411
Main Authors: Zuriaga-Agustí, E., Mendoza-Roca, J.A., Bes-Piá, A., Alonso-Molina, J.L., Amorós-Muñoz, I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenosine triphosphatase
Bioreactors
Cell disruption
Metabolic uncoupler
Metabolism
Microorganisms
Nitrophenols - metabolism
Phenols
Reactors
Sewage
Sludge
Sludge reduction
Viability
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Wastewater treatment
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Summary:Nowadays cost reduction is a very important issue in wastewater treatment plants. One way, is to minimize the sludge production. Microorganisms break down the organic matter into inorganic compounds through catabolism. Uncoupling metabolism is a method which promote catabolism reactions instead of anabolism ones, where adenosine triphosphate synthesis is inhibited. In this work, the influence of the addition of para-nitrophenol and a commercial reagent to a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) on sludge production and process performance has been analyzed. Three laboratory SBRs were operated in parallel to compare the effect of the addition of both reagents with a control reactor. SBRs were fed with synthetic wastewater and were operated with the same conditions. Results showed that sludge production was slightly reduced for the tested para-nitrophenol concentrations (20 and 25 mg/L) and for a LODOred dose of 1 mL/day. Biological process performance was not influenced and high COD removals were achieved. •Uncoupling metabolism promote catabolism reactions to minimize sludge production.•p-nitrophenol and commercial reagent addition to a SBR led to biomass reduction.•Doses of 20–25 mg/L of p-nitrophenol did not imply effluent deterioration.•The biological process performance was not influenced by the reagents addition.
ISSN:0301-4797
1095-8630
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.07.100