O reator em batelada seqüencial com biomassa em suspensão foi submetido a concentrações de N-amoniacal de 125, 250 e 500 mg N/L e em condições de oxigênio dissolvido (OD) no reator de 2 mg 'O IND.2'/L, em ciclos de 2h/2h de anóxico/aeróbio. Em todas as fases, o reator foi operado como batelada alimentada. Na condição de 125 mg N/L obteve-se eficiência de remoção de 87% de N, tendo o nitrato sido o principal produto da nitrificação. Na condição de 250 mg N/L, obteve-se eficiência de remoção de N de 84%, com predominância de nitrito como principal produto da nitrificação e com ocorrência de nitrificação e desnitrificação simultânea durante os dois primeiros ciclos aeróbios. Na condição de 500 mg N/L, as condições de concentração de OD de 2 mg 'O IND.2'/L e aeração intermitente a cada 2h não foram suficientes para promover a remoção total de nitrogênio amoniacal. Foram feitas alterações: ciclos de 2h anóxico e 9h aeróbios, com concentração média de 2,8 mg 'O IND.2'/L, que resultaram em eficiências de remoção de N de 94%, com predominância de nitrito. Foram isoladas cepas desnitrificantes com similaridade de 97% para Thauera mechernichensis e Thauera sp. 27 nas condições operacionais de 125 e 250 mg N/L e de 99% para Ochrobactrum anthropi e Ochrobactrum tritici, na condição operacional de 500 mg N/L. O longo tempo de operação resultou na diminuição da população de bactérias oxidantes de nitrito, podendo ter sido uma das causas que contribuiu para que se criassem condições que levariam à nitrificação via nitrito na concentração de 500 mg N/L. O sucesso na prevenção da inibição do processo por amônia livre foi atribuído à adoção das condições operacionais do reator, que foi operado sob aeração intermitente e batelada alimentada. / The sequential batch reactor with suspended bioma was subjected to ammonium concentrations of 125, 250 and 500 mg N/L, oxygen dissolved (OD) concentrations of 2 mg 'O IND.2'/L, 2h/2h of anoxic/aerobic steps. The reactor was operated under fed-batch feeding. At the operational condition of 125 mg N/L, the mean nitrogen removal efficiency of 87% was obtained and nitrate was the main nitrification product. At operational condition of 250 mg N/L, was gotten nitrogen removal efficiencies of 84% and nitrite was the predominant form of nitrogen and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification occurred during the two first aerobic steps of the cycle. At 500 mg N/L, the operating conditions imposed to the reactor (OD concentrations of 2 mg 'O IND.2'/L and intermittent aeration of 2h) did not lead to complete nitrification during the aerated steps, thus affecting nitrogen removal. The conditions were altered increasing the aerated steps to 9 hours, with OD concentration of 2,8 mg 'O IND.2'/L, and keeping the duration of the anoxic steps in 2 hours. Under such conditions, the mean nitrogen removal efficiency attained 94% and nitrite was the predominant oxidized nitrogen specie. It was isolated denitrifiers with similarity of 97% for Thauera mechernichensis and Thauera sp. 27 at the operational conditions of 125 and 250 mg N/L and of 99% for Ochrobactrum anthropi and Ochrobactrum tritici, at operational condition of 500 mg N/L. The long term operation resulted in the decrease of nitrite oxidizers populations and this was probably the main factor contributing for the creation of conditions for the partial nitrification via nitrite to prevail during the operation at ammonium concentration of 500 mg N/L. The success in preventing free ammonia inhibition was attributed to the adoption of intermittent aeration and fed batch operation.

A reoxigenação de água residuária é tratada na literatura técnica de maneira análoga à reoxigenação na água limpa; os efeitos do consumo de oxigênio pela população bacteriana ativa são quantificados pela introdução dos parâmetros alfa e beta. Alfa corrige o coeficiente volumétrico de transferência de massa do oxigênio e beta corrige a concentração de saturação do oxigênio dissolvido na água. Com o presente estudo pretende-se tornar explícitos os parâmetros cinéticos envolvidos no processo, de modo a fornecer base conceitual para um melhor entendimento do fenômeno. A pesquisa é feita a partir de trabalho experimental, seguido de modelagem matemática conceitual. No entanto, no lugar dos microrganismos como sumidouro de oxigênio dissolvido foi utilizado o borbulhamento sub-superficial de gás nitrogênio, em processo de stripping. Um processo físico, portanto, substitui o processo bioquímico no papel de retirar o oxigênio dissolvido no seio líquido. O modelo matemático proposto ajustou-se bem aos dados experimentais, sendo que a sua validação pôde ser obtida através das análises estatísticas realizadas. / The reoxygenation in wastewater is seen in the technical literature in an analogous way as the reoxygenation of clean water. The effects of the oxygen consumed by active bacteria population are quantified with the introduction of the parameters alpha and beta. Alpha corrects for the volumetric mass transfer coefficient and beta corrects for the dissolved oxygen saturation concentration. The present research intends to make explicit the kinetic of the process, in order to supply conceptual support to a better understanding of the phenomenon. The research is done through experimental work, followed by conceptual, mathematical modeling. Stripping with nitrogen is used as an oxygen sink instead of microorganisms. Thus, a physical process replaces the biochemical process. The proposed mathematical model fitted well to the experimental data, and its validation could be obtained through the statistical analyses done.

Nitrogen cycling processes can be tracked using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) to determine the presence and qReverse Transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine expression of key genes, or ‘biological markers’, for nitrogen metabolism. Nitrification is catalyzed in part, by two enzymes: ammonia monooxygenase (AMO; NH3 NH2OH) and nitrite oxidoreductase (NXR; NO2- NO3-). For denitrification, four enzymes act sequentially: nitrate reductase (NAR/NAP; NO3- NO2-), nitrite reductase (NIR; NO2- NO), nitric oxide reductase (NOR; NO  N2O), and nitrous oxide reductase (NOS; N2O  N2). A principle of wastewater treatment (WWT) is to remove excess nitrogen by taking advantage of natural nitrogen cycling or biological nitrogen removal (BNR). This process involves using microorganisms to bring influent ammonia through nitrification and denitrification to release nitrogen gas, which does not contribute to eutrophication. A novel shortcut nitrogen removal configuration could increase nitrogen removal efficiency by promoting nitritation/denitritation, reducing the classic nitrogen cycle by removing the redundant oxidation/reduction step to nitrate (NO3-). Here, three nitrogen transformations were used to track the three main phases in the nitrogen cycle; ammonia monooxygenase for nitrification, nitrite oxidoreductase for shortcut, and nitrous oxide reductase for denitrification. Primers for qPCR and qRT-PCR were designed to capture as much sequence diversity as possible for each step. Genes from bacteria known to perform the nitrogen transformations of interest (amoA, nxrB, nosZ) were used to BLAST-query the Integrated Microbial Genomes & Microbiomes database (img.jgi.doe.gov) to find homologs from organisms commonly found in WWT. These sequences were then aligned to find regions sufficiently conserved for primer design. These PCR primers were tested against standards for each gene and used to track nitrogen transformation potential and expression in a novel lab-scale algal photo-sequencing batch reactor which promotes shortcut nitrogen removal from wastewater across three solids retention times (SRT, or mean cell residence time); 5, 10 and 15 days. SRT 15 had the greatest total nitrogen removal with nitritation and denitritation observed. Nitrate was not detected in the first cycle and shortcut nitrogen removal was supported by low levels of nxrB genes and transcripts. Simultaneous nitrification/denitrification was supported by elevated concentrations of nosZ during the light period and less nitrite produced than ammonium consumed. Nitritation was predominantly performed by Betaproteobacteria amoA and nitrous oxide reduction was predominantly from nosZ group I (Proteobacteria-type).

Ce travail de thèse concerne l’élaboration et l’optimisation d’un procédé de synthèse par extrusion réactive de polyesters aliphatiques par polycondensation de l’acide sébacique avec le 1,6-hexanediol. L’utilisation des polyesters est un secteur en constante augmentation depuis ces dernières années notamment avec l’utilisation du poly(éthylène téréphtalate) dans des applications d’emballages. Cependant, la synthèse de ces polymères est basée sur des réactions de polycondensations dont les cinétiques sont classiquement assez lentes ce qui entraîne des durées de synthèse longues et in fine assez couteuses. Le but de cette étude est la mise en place d’un procédé continu par extrusion réactive qui permettrait de réduire les durées de synthèse (moins d’une heure) et d'obtenir de hautes masses molaires compétitifs. Dans un premier temps, l’étude porte sur la synthèse en réacteur d’un polyester dît modèle : le poly(hexaméthylène sébaçate). La détermination des conditions optimales de synthèse de ce polyester en réacteur permet de mettre à jour les catalyseurs et leur quantité nécessaire pour obtenir de hautes masses molaires. Une deuxième partie de ce travail de thèse a ensuite été basé sur le transfert des connaissances acquises en réacteur au procédé d'extrusion réactive. Enfin, l’optimisation de l’ensemble des paramètres de la synthèse du polyester modèle et des conditions d’extrusion (profil de vis, profil de température, vitesse des vis…) a permis la synthèse de poly(hexaméthylène sébaçate) dont les masses molaires sont très proches de celles obtenues en réacteur et qui laisse entrevoir un développement très prochain de ce nouveau procédé au niveau industriel. / This PhD thesis is about a new way to synthesis aliphatic polyesters based on hexanediol and sebacic acid by making use of reactive extrusion. Polyesters use have increased each year from the last fifty years, especially the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for packaging applications. However, polyesters are made from polycondensations, chemical reactions that require a lot of time to obtain high molar mass. The goal of this study is to create and optimise a new synthesis process by reactive extrusion to reduce drastically the synthesis time from several hours to a couple of minutes to obtain the same polyester than the classical process. This thesis is split into two big parts. The first one is the optimisation of the synthesis of the polyester used for the study: the poly(hexamethylene sebacate). Catalysts and synthesis conditions are discussed to draw the scheme of the synthesis in the classical process making used of batch reactors. The second step is the transposition of the synthesis to reactive extrusion. Optimisations of all extrusion conditions (screw profile, temperature range, screw speed…) are performed to obtain a poly(hexamethylene sebacate) with molar mass close to the ones made by batch reactor. This new process make the development of new polyesters faster than before and will allow some new materials based on these polymers.

Batch reactor is an essential unit operation in almost all batch-processing industries. Different types of reaction schemes (such as series, parallel and complex) and different order of model complexity (short-cut, detailed, etc. ) result in different sets of model equations and computer coding of all possible sets of model equations is cumbersome and time consuming. In this work, therefore, a general computer program (GBRM - General Batch Reactor Model) is developed to generate all possible sets of equations automatically and as required. GBRM is tested for different types of reaction schemes and for different order of model complexity and its flexibility is demonstrated. The above GBRM computer program is lodged with Dr. I. M. Mujtaba. One of the challenges in batch reactors is to ensure desired performance of individual batch reactor operations. Depending on the requirement and the objective of the process, optimisation in batch reactors leads to different types of optimisation problems such as maximum conversion, minimum time and maximum profit problem. The reactor temperature, jacket temperature and jacket flow rate are the main control variables governing the process and these are optimised to ensure maximum benefit. In this work, an extensive study on mainly conventional batch reactor optimisation is carried out using GBRM coupled with efficient DAEs (Differential and Algebraic Equations) solver, CVP (Control Vector Parameterisation) technique and SQP (Successive Quadratic Programming) based optimisation technique. The safety, environment and product quality issues are embedded in the optimisation problem formulations in terms of constraints. A new approach for solving optimisation problem with safety constraint is introduced. All types of optimisation problems mentioned above are solved off-line, which results to optimal operating policies. The off-line optimal operating policies obtained above are then implemented as set points to be tracked on-line and various types of advanced controllers are designed for this purpose. Both constant and dynamic set points tracking are considered in designing the controllers. Here, neural networks are used in designing Direct Inverse and Inverse-Model-Based Control (IMBC) strategies. In addition, the Generic Model Control (GMC) coupled with on-line neural network heat release estimator (GMC-NN) is also designed to track the optimal set points. For comparison purpose, conventional Dual Mode (DM) strategy with PI and PID controllers is also designed. Robustness tests for all types of controllers are carried out to find the best controller. The results demonstrate the robustness of GMC-NN controller and promise neural controllers as potential robust controllers for future. Finally, an integrated framework (BATCH REACT) for modelling, simulation, optimisation and control of batch reactors is proposed.

This study focuses on the development of novel two-stage esterification-transesterification synthesis of biodiesel from used cooking oil (UCO) using novel heterogeneous catalysts. The esterification of the UCO was investigated using three types of ion exchange resins catalysts including Purolite D5081, Purolite D5082 and Amberlyst 15. Of all the catalysts investigated, Purolite D5081 resin showed the best catalytic performance and was selected for further optimisation studies. From the optimisation study, it was found that the external and internal mass transfer resistance has negligible effect on the esterification reaction. At the optimum reaction conditions, Purolite D5081 achieved 92% conversion of FFA. During reusability study, the conversion of FFA dropped by 10% after each cycle and it was found that progressive pore blockage and sulphur leaching were dominant factors that decreased the catalytic performance of the Purolite D5081 catalyst. A kinetic modelling for FFA esterification was carried out using Purolite D5081 as a catalyst. Three types of kinetic models were investigated i.e. pseudo homogeneous (PH), Eley-Rideal (ER) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW). Experimental data obtained from the batch kinetic studies was successfully represented by the PH model and a good agreement between experimental and calculated values was obtained. The activation energy for esterification and hydrolysis reaction was found to be 53 and 107 kJ/moL. The transesterification of pre-treated cooking oil (P-UCO) was investigated using various types of heterogeneous catalysts including Purolite CT-122, Purolite CT-169, Purolite CT-175, Purolite CT-275, Purolite D5081, Diaion PA306s and Cs-supported heteropolyacids catalysts. Of all the catalysts investigated, Diaion PA306s catalyst showed the highest conversion of triglycerides and was selected for further optimisation studies. At the optimum reaction conditions, Diaion PA306s achieved ca. 75% of triglycerides conversion. During the reusability study, Diaion PA306s catalyst gave a similar conversion of triglycerides after being reused once. Therefore, it was concluded that the resin can be used several times without losing catalytic activity. Several purification methods have been investigated and dry washing method was chosen as the best alternative for biodiesel purification.

O avanço da tecnologia anaeróbia para tratamento de esgotos deve ser creditado em grande parte ao desenvolvimento dos modernos reatores de alta taxa de aplicação orgânica, com os maiores méritos ao filtro anaeróbio ascendente e principalmente, à configuração do UASB. A evolução dos reatores levou à busca para maximizar a aplicação prática para aproveitar todas as potencialidades dos processos anaeróbios. Todas as modernas configurações têm em comum a preocupação em atender requisitos essenciais em um reator: formação e retenção de grande quantidade de biomassa e melhoria do contato biomassa/matéria orgânica. Esta pesquisa tem como principal objetivo avaliar dois reatores anaeróbios, operados em batelada seqüencial e periodicamente aerados, como unidade de tratamento das águas residuárias geradas no campus da Universidade de São Paulo em São Carlos. Um dos reatores contém biomassa imobilizada em espuma de poliuretano e o outro é operado com biomassa suspensa ou auto-imobilizada, sem utilização de suporte inerte. Os sistemas, na primeira etapa operacional, anaeróbia, apresentaram remoção de matéria orgânica, com eficiências médias para espuma de 61% (ASBBR) e grânulos de 56% (ASBR) e eficiências na remoção de sólidos iguais a 62% de SST e 65% de SSV no ASBBR e 56 % de SST e 61% de SSV no ASBR. Na segunda etapa operacional, anaeróbia e aeróbia, os reatores ASBR e ASBBR, mostrou que a estratégia de operação com etapa anaeróbia seguida por período com aeração não foi adequada para remoções de matéria orgânica e nitrogênio. Os reatores operaram com grande instabilidade e baixas eficiências de remoção de matéria orgânica, abaixo das observadas em reator operado de forma anaeróbia. / The advance of anaerobic technology for wastewater treatment should be credited in great part to the development of the modern reactors with high rates of organic application, with merit to the ascendant anaerobic filter and mainly to the UASB configuration. The evolution of reactors led to the search to maximize the practical aplication to make the best use of all the potentialities of the anaerobic processes. All the modern configurations have in common the preoccupation to deal with essential requisites in a reactor: formation and retention of a large quantity of biomass and improvement in the biomass/organic matter contact. This research prime objective is to evaluate two anaerobic reactors, operated in sequential batch and periodically aerated, as unity of treatment of wastewaters generated at the campus of the University of São Paulo in São Carlos. One of the reactors contains biomass immobilized on polyurethane foam and the other is operated with suspended or autoimmobilized biomass, without the use of inert support. The systems, in the first operational step, anaerobic, presented organic matter removal, with medium efficiencies for foam of 61% (ASBBR) and granule of 56% (ASBR) and efficiencies in the removal of solids equal to 62% of TSS and to 65% of VSS in the ASBBR and to 56% of TSS and to 61% of VSS in the ASBR. In the second operational step, anaerobic and aerobic, the ASBBR and ASBR reactors showed that the strategy of operation with anaerobic step followed by a period with aeration was not adequate for the removal of organic matter and nitrogen. The reactors operated with great instability and low efficiency of organic matter removal, with results below of the ones observed in a reactor operated in the anaerobic way.

Este estudo foi motivado pela necessidade de se tratar o excesso de vazão afluente às estações de tratamento de esgoto, que ocorre em dias de chuvas intensas. A hipótese central deste estudo é a de que a adoção de processo físico-químico para o tratamento de esgoto excedente diluído, pode ser vantajosa em relação ao aumento da capacidade com a ampliação dos sistemas exclusivamente biológicos. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida na ETE Martim de Sá da SABESP, localizada em Caraguatatuba/SP, onde o esgoto é tratado por lodos ativados em bateladas sequenciais. Estudou-se a variação da vazão de esgoto afluente na época de chuvas, bem como o funcionamento das bateladas. Além disso, foi avaliado o emprego da coagulação, floculação e sedimentação em decantador laminar para tratar o excesso de vazão com aplicação de sulfato de alumínio, cloreto férrico e polímero catiônico em uma estação piloto, após a realização de ensaios em escala de bancada em aparelho de Jar Test. O monitoramento da vazão afluente mostrou que em dias de chuvas e com ocorrência de desvios, a vazão máxima foi 220 L/s, ou seja, até 6 vezes maior que a vazão média de tempo seco. Para esta situação, o processo físico-químico pode tornar-se uma alternativa promissora, devido à sua capacidade de trabalho sob altas vazões em instalações de menor porte. Nos ensaios para se avaliar o tratamento físico-químico utilizou-se esgoto bruto pertencente a duas faixas de DBO: 50 e 100 mg/L e taxa de aplicação superficial no decantador de 76,82 m³ / m² / dia. A melhor dosagem de produto químico utilizada para tratar o esgoto bruto da faixa de DBO igual a 50 mg/L foi 40mg/L de cloreto férrico mais 0,5mg/L de polímero catiônico resultando em efluentes com DBO média de 26mg/L. Para o esgoto bruto da faixa de DBO igual a 100 mg/L a melhor dosagem foi a de 60mg/L de cloreto férrico, com DBO média dos efluentes igual a 44mg/L. Para esta faixa de trabalho é recomendável prever a aplicação de polímero. Por esta pesquisa concluiu-se que é possível atender aos limites legais de qualidade do esgoto tratado com o emprego do tratamento físico-químico, além disso produziu elementos importantes para subsidiar a avaliação econômica para a implantação desta tecnologia em paralelo ao sistema de lodo ativado nas situações de sobrecarga hidráulica. No entanto, a análise do fluxograma do funcionamento da estação com o processo de lodos ativado em bateladas, indicou que é possível efetuar o tratamento da vazão de 220 L/s pelo processo biológico. Assim, é recomendável a implantação do tratamento físico-químico somente se, após a realização do teste em escala real do funcionamento das bateladas com a vazão de 220 L/s, o tratamento biológico não atender aos padrões estabelecidos. / This study was motivated by the need to treat high wastewater influent exceeding in sewage treatment plants, which occurs on days of heavy rain. The central hypothesis of this study is that the physical-chemical process to treat dilute sewage overflow, it can be advantageous with respect to increased capacity and expansion of biological systems. The research was conducted in ETE Martim de Sá (SABESP), located in Caraguatatuba / SP, where the sewage is treated by sequencing batch reactor. It was studied the variation of the flow of wastewater during the rainy season, and the operation of the batch. Furthermore, it was evaluated the use of coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation in plate settler with application of aluminium sulfate, ferric chloride and cationic polymer in a pilot plant, after the testing of bench scale apparatus in Jar Test. Monitoring the inflow showed that on days of rainfall and bypass, the maximum flow was 220 L/s, up to 6 times the dry weather average flow. For this situation, the physico-chemical process may become a promising alternative, due to its ability to work under high flow rates in smaller facilities. In tests to evaluate the physical-chemical treatment was used two kinds of raw sewage: 50 and 100 mg/L BOD, overflow rate used in the plated settling tank was 76.82 m³/m² / day. The best dosage of chemical used to treat the raw sewage BOD of 50 mg/L was 40 mg/L ferric chloride plus 0.5 mg/L of cationic polymer, resulting in average effluent with BOD of 26 mg/L. For the raw sewage of the range BOD of 100 mg/L, 60 mg/L ferric chloride was the best dosage with an average BOD of effluent equal to 44 mg/L. For this range of work is recommended to provide for the application of polymer. This research concluded that it is possible to comply with the legal standard of treated sewage with physical-chemical treatment, also produced evidence that can help in the economic evaluation for the implementation of this technology in parallel with the activated sludge system in hydraulic overload situations. However, analysis of the flow diagram of operation of the station with the sequencing batch reactor, indicated that it is possible to make the treatment of flow of 220 L/s by the biological process. Therefore, is recommend the implementation of physical-chemical treatment only if after the test-scale operation of the batches with the flow rate of 220 L/s, the biological treatment doesn\'t meet the established standards.

Este trabalho apresenta e discute os resultados obtidos na operação de quatro reatores anaeróbios operados em bateladas seqüenciais, projetados em escala piloto, para tratamento de 7,8 m3.dia-1 de esgotos sanitários, coletados da rede coletora que atravessa o Campus da USP de São Carlos. Cada sistema (1,2 m3) foi concebido para tratamento de 1,95 m3.dia-1 de esgoto sanitário, com concepções geométricas (relação L-altura/D-diâmetro), mecânicas (agitação mecânica ou recirculação de líquido) e tipo de retenção de biomassa diferentes. Três unidades eram do tipo ASBR (anaerobic sequencing batch reactor) e outro tipo ASBBR (anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor) com leito fixo composto de matrizes cúbicas de espuma de poliuretano. Os ciclos operacionais tinham duração de oito horas perfazendo no total três ciclos por dia em cada sistema. O monitoramento dos reatores incluiu a determinação de DQO, pH, sólidos em suspensão totais (SST) e voláteis, ácidos voláteis totais, alcalinidade no afluente e efluente, bem como a concentração de metano no biogás. O ensaio experimental foi dividido em duas etapas distintas, sendo que na primeira (227 dias), os reatores não receberam inóculo e na segunda (66 dias) houve a inoculação prévia de lodo anaeróbio granular. Em ambas etapas, os dois reatores ASBR com mesmo tipo de agitação por recirculação de líquido, mas com diferente relação L/D não apresentaram desempenho satisfatório. Os valores médios de eficiência de remoção de DQO e de SST foram próximos de 40% e 60%, respectivamente. No efluente a concentração média foi de 300 mgDQO/L e de 100 mgSST/L. Nos reatores, ASBR com agitação mecânica e, ASBBR com biomassa imobilizada, os resultados médios obtidos foram melhores. O reator ASBBR atingiu eficiência média de 65% e 75% em remoção de DQO e SST, enquanto no ASBR com agitação mecânica chegou-se a 60% e 85%, respectivamente. A concentração média no efluente dos reator foi de 150 mgDQO/L e 60 mgSST/L no ASBBR e 220 mgDQO/L e 50 mgSST/L no ASBR com agitação mecânica. / This study reports and discuss several data obtained using four pilot scale anaerobic sequencing batch reactor, treating 7.8 m3.d-1 of domestic sewage from the Sao Paulo University sewer treatment system (Campus- São Carlos). Each reactor system (1.2 m3) was designed for the treatment of 1.95 m3.d-1 of domestic sewage with different geometric reactor characteristics (ratio L-length/D-diameter), mechanical (mechanical mixing or liquor re-circulation) and biomass retention type. Three reactors were a conventional ASBR (anaerobic sequencing batch reactor) with granular biomass and another one, an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR), which was composed with cubic matrices of polyurethane foam. The reactors were operated within 8-h of a sequential batch cycle, which were attained in three cycles by day for each system. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, total suspended solids (TSS), volatile fatty acids, bicarbonate alkalinity in both the influent and effluent were monitored in the different cycles. Methane concentration was also assessed in the same period using Gas Chromatography (GC). The experiments were divided in two different phases. In the first phase, which corresponded to 227 d, the reactors were not inoculated. In the second phase (66 d) the reactors were then inoculated with anaerobic granular sludge. It was observed that in both operational phases, the two ASBR reactors, with the same re-circulating process of the mixed liquor, but with different L/D ratio, showed non-satisfactory results. The average values of COD and TSS removal were close to 40 and 60%, respectively. In the effluent, the average values were of 300 mgDQO/L and 100 mgTSS/L. ASBR reactors with mechanical mixing and ASBBR reactor with immobilized biomass showed better results. The average removal efficiency observed was of 65 and 75% for COD and TSS, respectively. ASBR reactors with mechanical mixing reached the efficiency of 60 and 85% for COD and TSS removal. The average concentration in the effluent was of 150 mgDQO/L and 60 mgSST/l in the ASBBR reactor; and 220 mgCOD/L and 50 mgTSS/L in the ASBR reactor with mechanical mixing.

Nesse estudo, procurou-se investigar a influência do aumento de carga orgânica em um ASBR operado a 30ºC, agitado mecanicamente e contendo microrganismos imobilizados em suporte inerte. Para tal, foi aplicado um carregamento orgânico volumétrico variando de 1,5 a 6,0 g DQO/L.dia, alimentando-se um reator construído em acrílico (5,4 L) com 2 L de água residuária sintética com concentrações de 500 a 2000 mg DQO/L com fontes de carboidrato/proteína/lipídio, em bateladas de 8 a 12 h. O sistema apresentou eficiências de remoção de material orgânico entre 73% e 88% para as condições estudadas. Entretanto, quando o reator foi alimentado com uma concentração de 2000 mg DQO/L em bateladas de 8 h, verificou-se o acúmulo de ácidos voláteis totais, refletindo na redução da eficiência de remoção de material orgânico para 55%, para amostras filtradas. Os perfis dinâmicos ao longo da batelada permitiram concluir que, para a condição com o mesmo carregamento orgânico, porém com concentrações afluentes e tempos de ciclo diferentes, a produção inicial de ácidos voláteis totais foi mais acentuada para o caso de alimentação com maior concentração. Para condições com concentrações afluentes iguais, o tempo a mais para o ciclo foi fundamental para obter-se efluente de melhor qualidade em termos de remoção de matéria orgânica. / The current study investigated the effect of increasing organic load in an ASBR operated at 30ºC with mechanical stirring and containing immobilized on inert support. Accordingly, volumetric organic loading rates ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 g COD/L.day were used by feeding an acrylic reactor (5.4 L) with 2 L of influent at concentrations of 500 to 2000 mg COD/L from wastewater containing carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in 8 and 12 h batches. Organic matter removal efficiencies between 73% and 88% were observed under the conditions investigated. However, when the reactor was fed at a concentration of 2000 mg COD/L in 8 h batches, accumulation of total volatile acids was detected, leading to a reduction in organic matter removal efficiency as low as 55% for filtered samples. The dynamic batches profiles allowed to conclude that for the same organic loading rates and different concentration influent and cycle times, the initial production of total volatile acids showed to be more pronounced for better quality effluent in terms of organic matter removal.