Department of Biological Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa; Department of Civil Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyungsan 712-749, South Korea
Azizi, S., Department of Biological Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa; Valipour, A., Department of Civil Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyungsan 712-749, South Korea; Sithebe, T., Department of Biological Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential future use of three biological processes in order to designate the most desired solution for on-site treatment of wastewater from residential complexes, that is, conventional activated sludge process (CASP), moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), and packed-bed biofilm reactor (PBBR). Hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6, 3, and 2 h can be achieved in CASP, MBBR, and PBBR, respectively. The PBBR dealt with a particular arrangement to prevent the restriction of oxygen transfer efficiency into the thick biofilms. The laboratory scale result revealed that the overall reduction of 87% COD, 92% BOD5, 82% TSS, 79% NH3-N, 43% PO4-P, 95% MPN, and 97% TVC at a HRT of 2 h was achieved in PBBR. The microflora present in the system was also estimated through the isolation, identification, and immobilization of the microorganisms with an index of COD elimination. The number of bacterial species examined on the nutrient agar medium was 22 and five bacterial species were documented to degrade the organic pollutants by reducing COD by more than 43%. This study illustrated that the present PBBR with a specific modified internal arrangement could be an ideal practice for promoting sustainable decentralization and therefore providing a low wastage sludge biomass concentration. © 2013 Shohreh Azizi et al.
organic matter; oxygen; polypropylene; agar; organic compound; activated sludge; agar medium; article; biochemical oxygen demand; biofilm; biofilm reactor; biomass conversion; bioreactor design; chemical oxygen demand; controlled study; decentralization; hydraulic conductivity; immobilization; microbial community; microbial identification; microflora; modified attached growth bioreactor; moving bed biofilm reactor; oxygen transport; packed bed biofilm reactor; waste water; waste water management; biomass; bioreactor; chemistry; equipment design; isolation and purification; metabolism; methodology; microbial consortium; microbiology; sewage; time; water management; water pollutant; Bacteria (microorganisms); Agar; Biofilms; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; Biomass; Bioreactors; Equipment Design; Microbial Consortia; Organic Chemicals; Oxygen; Sewage; Time Factors; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Waste Water; Water Microbiology; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification