Granulation of biomass in thermophilic upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors treating acidified wastewaters

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260280511· OSTI ID:5261199

Wiegant, W M; de Man, A W.A.

The development of granular sludge in thermophilic (55 degrees C) upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors was investigated. Acetate and a mixture of acetate and butyrate were used as substrates, serving as models for acidified wastewaters. Granular sludge with either Methanothrix or Methanosarcina as the predominant acetate utilizing methanogen was cultivated by allowing the loading rate to increase whenever the acetate concentration in the effluent dropped below 200 and 700 mg COD/l, respectively. The highest methane generation rates, up to 162 kg CH/sub 4/-COD/cubic m. day, or 2.53 mole CH/sub 4//l day, were achieved at hydraulic retention times down to 21 min, with granules consisting of Methanothrix. The formation of Methanothrix granules did not depend on the type of seed material, nor on the addition of inert support particles. The growth of granules proceeded rapidly with adapted seed material, even when the reactors were inoculated with low concentrations. With mesophilic seed materials growth of granules took much longer. Thermophilic Methanothrix granules strongly resemble mesophilic granules of the filamentous type. Some factors governing the thermophilic granulation process are discussed. 20 references.

• Research Organization: Agricultural Univ., Wageningen, The Netherlands
• OSTI ID: 5261199
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States) Vol. 28:5; ISSN BIBIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ACETATES
AGGLOMERATION
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOREACTORS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
LIQUID WASTES
LOADING RATE
MANAGEMENT
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
REACTION KINETICS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SLUDGES
SUBSTRATES
SYNTHESIS
THERMOPHILIC CONDITIONS
TIME DEPENDENCE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER