Performance of microbial fuel cell subjected to variation in pH, temperature, external load and substrate concentration.

Aims: The effect of high organic loading rate (OLR) on the physical characteristics of aerobic granules was studied.



Methods and Results: Two column-type sequential aerobic sludge blanket reactors were fed with either glucose or acetate as the main carbon source, and the OLR was gradually raised from 6 to 9, 12 and 15 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD) m−3 d−1. Glucose-fed granules could sustain the maximum OLR tested. At a low OLR, these granules exhibited a loose fluffy morphology dominated by filamentous bacteria. At higher OLRs, these granules became irregularly shaped, with folds, crevices and depressions. In contrast, acetate-fed granules had a compact spherical morphology at OLRs of 6 and 9 kg COD m−3 d−1, with better settling and strength characteristics than glucose-fed granules at similar OLRs. However, acetate-fed granules could not sustain high OLRs and disintegrated when the OLR reached 9 kg COD m−3 d−1.



Conclusions: The compact regular microstructure of the acetate-fed granules appeared to limit mass transfer of nutrients at an OLR of 9 kg COD m−3 d−1. The looser filamentous microstructure of the glucose-fed granules and the subsequent irregular morphology delayed the onset of diffusion limitation and allowed significantly higher OLRs to be attained.



Significance and Impact of the Study: High organic loading rates are possible with aerobic granules. This research would be helpful in the development of aerobic granule-based systems for high-strength wastewaters.

https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1472-765X.2002.01108.x

High organic loading influences the physical characteristics of aerobic sludge granules.

J.-H. TAY, Q.-S. LIU AND Y. LIU. 2001. Aims: This paper attempts to provide visual evidence of how aerobic granulation evolves in sequential aerobic sludge blanket reactors. Methods and Results: A series of experiments were conducted in two column-type sequential aerobic sludge reactors fed with glucose and acetate as sole carbon source, respectively. The evolution of aerobic granulation was monitored using image analysis and optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the formation of aerobic granules was a gradual process from seed sludge to compact aggregates, further to granular sludge and finally to mature granules with the sequential operation proceeding. Glucose- and acetate-fed granules have comparable characteristics in terms of settling velocity, size, shape, biomass density and microbial activity. However, the microbial diversity of the granules was associated with the carbon source supplied. In this work, an important aerobic starvation phase was identified during sequential operation cycles. It was found that periodical aerobic starvation was an effective trigger for microbial aggregation in the reactor and further strengthened cell-cell interaction to form dense aggregates, which was an essential step of granulation. The periodical starvation-induced aggregates would finally be shaped to granules by hydrodynamic shear and flow. Conclusions: Aerobic granules can be formed within 3 weeks in the systems. The periodical starvation and hydrodynamic conditions would play a crucial role in the granulation process. Significance and Impact of the Study: Aerobic granules have excellent physical characteristics as compared with conventional activated sludge flocs. This research could be helpful for the development of an aerobic granule-based novel type of reactor for handling high strength organic wastewater.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01374.x

S. G. Joshi

Papers

Characteristics of sludge developed under different loading conditions during UASB reactor start-up and granulation.

Experience with UASB reactor start-up under different operating conditions