ABSTRACT The hydrodynamic behavior of an anaerobic fixed bed reactor (AFBR) was evaluated in the treatment of cattle slaughterhouse wastewater. The AFBR was operated at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 14, 11 and 8 h. Stimulus-response assays were carried out with Eosin Y and the experimental data were adjusted to the single-parameter theoretical models of dispersion and N-continuous stirred tank reactors in series (N-CSTR). The experimental results of the residence time distribution curves showed that at lower flow rate, the reactor showed plug flow behavior with correlation coefficient (r) of 0.88 and number of dispersion of 0.2 for high dispersion (HD). However, at higher and intermediate flow rates, the AFBR behave as a complete mixture flow, (r) of 0.94 and 0.96, respectively. Residence time distribution curves in the AFBR showed a good approximation of the complete mixing model at hydraulic residence time of 11 and 8 h, with 5 and 2 N-CSTR reactors in series, respectively. The volume of dead zones corresponding to 43.0, 37.4 and 11.2% of the volume of the reactor for HRT of 14, 11 and 8 h, respectively, was noted, and hydraulic short circuiting were not confirmed.

ABSTRACT Fixed-bed reactors have been considered promise alternatives for hydrogen production due to their simple construction and increase in the biomass retention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological production of hydrogen in anaerobic fixed-bed reactors with cassava starch wastewater used as substrate. Different support materials and arrangements of fixed-bed were used to evaluate the biological production of hydrogen in anaerobic continuous fixed-bed reactors, with cassava starch wastewater as substrate - recycled low-density polyethylene scraps, in packed bed (R1), recycled low-density polyethylene cylinders, in ordained bed (R3) and bamboo stems, in vertical arrangement (R2 and R4). In R1 the initial pH was adjusted for 6.0, with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 h and organic loading rate (OLR) of 9.5 g.L−1.d−1. In R2 the initial pH was maintained in 4.5, with HRT of 4 h and OLR of 9.5 g.L−1.d−1. R3 and R4 were operated with initial pH of 4.5, HRT of 4 h and OLR of 13.5 g.L−1.d−1. The volumetric hydrogen production (VHPR) was favored by lower OLR applied, evenin different pH ranges (6.0 and 4.5). VHPR values of 229 mL H2.L−1.d−1and 248 mL H2.L−1.d−1 were obtained in R1 and R2, respectively. Both in the bamboo stems bed as in the polyethylene cylinders bed, the increase of OLR and the reduction of the initial pH resulted in a diminishing of VHPR to 175 mL H2.d−1.L−1 (R3) and 145 m LH2 .d−1.L−1 (R4). Higher concentrations of butanol (821.32 and 1,529.22 mg.L−1) and ethanol (915.41 and 924.41 mg.L−1) were verified in the reactors with bamboo stems. In R4, the increase of OLR and the reduction of the initial pH contributed to the increase of butanol concentration in 1.8 times, diminishing the VHPR in 41.68%, yield in 63.95% and H2 in 37.6%, and indicating that the effect of pH is more pronounced with the increase of OLR, leading to the solventogenesis.

Buscando aliar o tratamento de resíduos à produção de energia limpa e renovável, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a produção biológica de hidrogênio a partir da água residuária da indústria de fécula de mandioca, gerada durante os processos de extração e de purificação do amido. O experimento foi conduzido em um reator anaeróbio de leito fixo, contínuo, de 3 L de volume útil, em que o meio suporte consistiu em hastes de bambu. O sistema foi operado a 36 º C, pH inicial 6,0 e sob variações de carregamento orgânico. A maior taxa de produção de hidrogênio de 1,1 L d-1 L-1 foi obtida com aplicação da taxa de carregamento orgânico de 35 g L-1d-1, em termos de açúcares totais, e tempo de detenção hidráulica de 3 h, com predomínio dos ácidos butírico e acético como produtos finais da fermentação. As baixas relações C/N contribuíram com o crescimento excessivo da biomassa, ocasionando redução de até 35% na produção de hidrogênio, baixos percentuais de H2 e elevadas concentrações de CO2 no biogás.

Attempting to associate waste treatment to the production of clean and renewable energy, this research sought to evaluate the biological production of hydrogen using wastewater from the cassava starch treatment industry, generated during the processes of extraction and purification of starch. This experiment was carried out in a continuous anaerobic reactor with a working volume of 3L, with bamboo stems as the support medium. The system was operated at a temperature of 36°C, an initial pH of 6.0 and under variations of organic load. The highest rate of hydrogen production, of 1.1 L.d-1.L-1, was obtained with application of an organic loading rate of 35 g.L-1.d-1, in terms of total sugar content and hydraulic retention time of 3h, with a prevalence of butyric and acetic acids as final products of the fermentation process. Low C/N ratios contributed to the excessive growth of the biomass, causing a reduction of up to 35% in hydrogen production, low percentages of H2 and high concentrations of CO2in the biogas.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a influência da vazão de ar (0,25; 0,50 e 0,75 L.L-1.min-1) e do tempo de ciclo (10h45; 14h25 e 17h35) no desempenho de um reator em bateladas sequenciais (RBS) em promover a nitrificação e a desnitrificação de água residuária de abatedouro de aves. A operação contemplou as etapas de alimentação, reação aerada e anóxica, sedimentação e descarte. O RBS foi operado em escala de bancada com volume útil de 4 L, mantendo-se 25% do volume do reator como inóculo em cada batelada. Na fase anóxica, a relação C:N foi mantida entre 5 e 6, adicionando-se água residuária do processo de obtenção de fécula de mandioca. Elaborou-se um planejamento fatorial (22) com cinco repetições, no ponto central, para verificar a influência dos fatores, o tempo de ciclo e a vazão de ar, na variável resposta remoção de nitrogênio inorgânico total (N-NH4++N-NO2-+N-NO3-), no processo completo (nitrificação e desnitrificação). A maior remoção de nitrogênio inorgânico total (93,3%) foi observada quando se utilizou vazão de ar de 0,25 L.L-1.min-1 e tempo de ciclo de 14h25. No final do experimento, o lodo do reator foi caracterizado através de hibridização fluorescente in situ (FISH), indicando a presença de bactérias oxidadoras de amônia e de nitrito.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of airflow (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 L.L-1.min-1) and cycle time (10.45 h, 14.25 h and 17.35 h) on a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) performance in promoting nitrification and denitrification of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. The operational stages included feeding, aerobic and anoxic reactions, sedimentation and discharge. SBR was operated in a laboratory scale with a working volume of 4 L, keeping 25% of biomass retained inside the reactor as inoculum for the next batch. In the anoxic stage, C: N ratio was maintained between 5 and 6 by adding cassava starch wastewater. A factorial design (22) with five repetitions was designed at the central point to evaluate the influence of cycle time and airflow on total inorganic nitrogen removal (N-NH4++N-NO2-+N-NO3-) and in the whole process (nitrification and denitrification). The highest total inorganic nitrogen removal (93.3%) was observed for airflow of 0.25 L.L-1.min‑1 and a cycle time of 14.25 h. At the end of the experiment, the sludge inside the reactor was characterized by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), indicating the presence of ammonia and nitrite oxidizing bacteria.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho de um Reator Anaeróbio-Aeróbio de Leito Fixo (RAALF) com escoamento ascendente, no tratamento de efluente bruto de matadouro bovino, e obter constantes cinéticas aparentes da remoção de matéria orgânica. O RAALF foi operado sem recirculação (Etapa I) e com 50% de recirculação do efluente (Etapa II), com θ de 11 h e 8 h. Em termos de pH, alcalinidade a bicarbonato e ácidos voláteis, os resultados indicaram que o RAALF apresentou capacidade em manter condições favoráveis para os processos biológicos envolvidos na remoção de matéria orgânica, em ambas as etapas operacionais. As eficiências médias de remoção de matéria orgânica ao longo da altura do reator, expressa em termos de DQO bruta, foram de 49% e 68% na Etapa I e de 54% e 86% na Etapa II, para θ de 11 h e 8 h, respectivamente. Os resultados de DQO filtrada indicaram eficiências de remoção de 52% e k = 0,0857 h-1 para θ de 11 h e 42% e k = 0,0880 h-1 para θ de 8 h na Etapa I. Na Etapa II, as eficiências de remoção foram 59% e 51% para θ de 11 h e 8 h, com k = 0,1238 h-1 e k = 0,1075 h-1, respectivamente. O modelo cinético de primeira ordem indicou bom ajuste e descreveu adequadamente a cinética de remoção de matéria orgânica para θ de 11 h, com r² igual a 0,9734 e 0,9591 para as Etapas I e II, respectivamente.

This paper sought to evaluate the behavior of an upflow Anaerobic-Aerobic Fixed Bed Reactor (AAFBR) in the treatment of cattle slaughterhouse effluent and determine apparent kinetic constants of the organic matter removal. The AAFBR was operated with no recirculation (Phase I) and with 50% of effluent recirculation (Phase II), with θ of 11h and 8h. In terms of pH, bicarbonate alkalinity and volatile acids, the results indicated the reactor ability to maintain favorable conditions for the biological processes involved in the organic matter removal in both operational phases. The average removal efficiencies of organic matter along the reactor height, expressed in terms of raw COD, were 49% and 68% in Phase I and 54% and 86% in Phase II for θ of 11h and 8h, respectively. The results of the filtered COD indicated removal efficiency of 52% and k = 0.0857h-1 to θ of 11h and 42% and k = 0.0880h-1 to θ of 8h in the Phase I. In Phase II, the removal efficiencies were 59% and 51% to θ of 11h and 8h, with k = 0.1238h-1 and k = 0.1075 h-1, respectively. The first order kinetic model showed good adjustment and described adequately the kinetics of organic matter removal for θ of 11h, with r² equal to 0.9734 and 0.9591 to the Phases I and II, respectively.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a efici�ncia de um reator em batelada sequencial (RBS) na remo�ção biológica de nitrog�nio de efluente de abatedouro bovino, por meio dos processos de nitrifica�ção/desnitrifica�ção. Foram investigados os efeitos da concentra�ção inicial de nitrog�nio amoniacal de 100; 150 e 200 mg L-1 e vazção de ar de 0,125; 0,375 e 0,625 L min-1 Lreator-1 na remo�ção de compostos nitrogenados, por meio de configura�ção de um planejamento do tipo Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional (DCCR). Foram verificadas varia�›es de 9,2 a 94,9%, 4,0 a 19,6% e 20,8 a 92,0% na conversção de nitrog�nio amoniacal a nitrato, acœmulo de nitrito e remo�ção de nitrog�nio total, respectivamente. O aumento da vazção de ar e a diminui�ção da concentra�ção inicial de nitrog�nio amoniacal resultaram em maiores efici�ncias na remo�ção de nitrog�nio total e na conversção de nitrog�nio amoniacal a nitrato. Nos intervalos preestabelecidos do estudo, efici�ncias de remo�ção e conversção dos compostos nitrogenados, superiores a 85%, foram atingidas com varia�ção de vazção de ar de 0,375 a 0,725 L min-1 Lreator-1 e concentra�ção inicial de nitrog�nio amoniacal de 80 a 200 mg L-1. No processo de desnitrifica�ção, foram obtidas efici�ncias de 91,5 a 96,9% na remo�ção de nitrito/nitrato e de 78,3 a 87,9% na remo�ção de matŽria org‰nica.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) on biological removal of nitrogen from cattle slaughterhouse wastewater by nitrification/denitrification processes. The effects of initial concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen were investigated at 100; 150 and 200 mg L-1 and air flow rate at 0.125; 0.375 and 0.625 L min¹ Lreactor-1 on the nitrogen compounds removal, by a Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD) configuration. There were variations from 9.2 to 94.9%, 4.0 to 19.6% and 20.8 to 92.0% in the conversion of ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrate and nitrite concentration and removal of total nitrogen, respectively. The increase of air flow rate and decrease of the initial concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen resulted in higher efficiencies of total nitrogen removal, as well as the conversion of ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrate. During the pre-established intervals of this study, the removal and conversion efficiencies of nitrogen compounds above 85% were achieved in air flow rate variations from 0.375 to 0.725 L min-1 Lreactor-1 and initial concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen from 80 to 200 mg L-1. On denitrification process, we obtained efficiencies from 91.5 to 96.9% on the removal of nitrite/nitrate and from 78.3 to 87.9% on the removal of organic matter.