Eucalyptus, pine and wattle are the predominant exotic wood species used in the production of dissolving pulp in South Africa. On entering the mill, wood is chipped and stored in outdoor piles where it becomes vulnerable to microbial degradation and spontaneous combustion. Major losses of stored chips are due to high temperatures and combustion caused by heat energy released by microbial fermentation. Changes in the chemistry of the wood chips caused by the metabolic activity of indigenous microflora combined with the inherent chemical characteristics of each wood species could have a potential impact on final pulp quality and yield. Therefore the objective of this study was to analyse the microbial (bacteria and fungi) communities present in commercial wood chip piles and correlate this with changes in the chemistry of the wood in summer and winter. The molecular fingerprinting technique of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) was optimized for the detection of microbial diversity in commercial wood chips. Wood chips were collected from an industrial wood yard and milled to different specifications. A total of four primer sets with GC-clamps were tested in nested PCR for DGGE analysis. 16S and 18S rRNA genes were amplified using 338f-GC/518r; 933F-GC/1387R (bacteria) and NS26/518R-GC; EF4F/518R-GC (fungi), respectively. Several gel gradients were examined to determine optimal separation of bacterial (40/60%, 35/50%, 30/60%) and fungal (35/50%, 20/45%, 25/50%) PCR-DGGE products. Comparison of the DGGE profiles revealed greater diversity in the milled wood chips amplified using primer sets; 338F-GC/518R (16S) and NS26/518R-GC (18S) with gradients of 30/60% (16S) and 25/50% (18S). Once optimized, this standardized protocol was tested against five samples to assess its applicability to woodyard samples. 16S and 18S DGGE profiles were generated and amplicons excised from gels, re-amplified, sequenced and the microorganism from which the DNA originated was determined. In the second phase a cross-sectional study of wood chip piles from a commercial dissolving pulp mill was conducted with sample collected in summer and winter using the optimized PCR-DGGE technique. Microbial strains were identified after sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA amplicons separated by DGGE. Chemical characteristics of the wood chips were evaluated by conducting extractive analyses using HPLC. Due to unpredictable combinations of different wood species in commercial wood chip piles, the third phase involved the investigation of individual Eucalyptus species. The microflora indigenous to the two Eucalyptus species (E. dunnii and E. nitens) and a combination of the two were subjected to winter and summer simulations for one month during which samples were tested for wood chemistry properties, microflora and the final samples were used to generate dissolving pulp. Using the PCR-DGGE method eighteen bacterial and twelve fungal species were identified from the five samples collected from the commercial wood chip pile, compared to the ten bacterial and nine fungal isolates which were identified using the culturing technique and standard 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Predominant genera in the optimization phase of this study were Klebsiella spp. (×3), Bacillus spp. (×2), Pantoea spp. (×2), Pseudomonas spp. (×2) and Paecilomyces spp. (×2). Application of the optimized DGGE technique to samples collected from the commercial pulping mill in summer and winter revealed variable profiles indicating a range of bacterial and fungal strains that varied in intensity in the areas and seasons sampled. Seventy nine (45 in summer and 34 in winter) and 29 (20 in summer and 9 in winter) distinct amplicons representing bacteria and fungi, respectively, were visualized. Predominant genera in summer were Pantoea rodasii, Inquilinus limosus, Streptococcus sp., Klebsiella spp., Diversispora sp., Boletaceae sp., Scutellospora sp., and Ophiostoma bicolour. In winter the prevailing genera were Leuconostoc palmae, Streptococcus sp., Bacillus spp., Diversispora sp., Boletaceae sp., and Bullera sp. Lower cellulose levels in summer correlated significantly with high microbial loads and the predominance of Bacillus spp., suggesting that in warm humid environments storage should not exceed 1-2 weeks. No correlations were determined between the decreased hot water levels in winter and microbial activity, however they were correlated to increased exposure of those samples to environmental factors. Chemistry data on the wood chips imparts the quality of the wood which only permitted projection of final pulp quality. This inadequacy was addressed in the third phase which included identification of microbial strains, originating from the individual Eucalyptus species, after sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA amplicons separated by DGGE. Fungal and bacterial species were also isolated, cultured, identified and screened for lignocellulolytic enzyme activity. Ninety two and 88% of the fungi isolated were capable of producing cellulase and xylanase, respectively. Significant correlations exist between the microflora, seasons (greater diversity and loading in summer) and the chemical and physical properties of wood chips (lower cellulose and viscosity in summer) as well as Eucalyptus species (significantly higher cellulose and viscosity for the combination and E. nitens). Indigenous microflora of each wood species may be one of the contributing factors to poor/good pulp quality, as significant correlations were made between enzyme production of microorganisms and wood chemistry which ultimately has an impact on the final pulp quality and yields. This investigation provides proof of concept that combining wood species with different deterioration rates results in an overall improvement in pulp quality and thus paves the way for a practical and applicable approach to managing quality of chips. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2013.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (MScFor)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Unextracted (control) and PHWe Eucalyptus grandis wood chips were pulped at 15% active alkali (AA) and 1% antraquinone (AQ). Another batch of wood chips were then inoculated with fungal co-cultures of Aspergillus flavipes and Pycnoporus sanguineus. FCCi wood chips were incubated for four weeks; one PHWe inoculated experimental treatment was incubated for three weeks. The full pulping cycle (160 min) was used to digest the experimental treatments with the exception of one lot of PHWe wood chips that were pulped for 150 minutes. A further experimental treatment of PHWe wood chips was cooked at a reduced AA charge of 14% and 1% AQ. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the data from all the experimental treatments was conducted and the differences within the experimental treatments were determined using Statistica (v7, 1984–2006). The F-value (Fischer distribution) and the p-value as well as a non-parametric test known as the Mann-Whitney procedure was tested at the 95% confidence limit. For a further enhancement of the 95% confidence limit the screened yield data was tested by the Bootstrap method. Scanning electron micrographs clearly demonstrated the changed structure and appearance of the chip cross-sectional area after the different pretreatments. Although the mean average results of all the screened pulp yields showed no significant statistical difference (p> 0.05), differences in screened yield of up to 2.5% were obtained. All the weighted means of the rejects showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Other pulp properties like shive content, chemical consumption, Kappa number, handsheet brightness and strength tests showed mixed results i.e. rejected or accepted the hypothesis (p> or =or < 0.05). The hypothesis that the combined PHWE and FCCI of wood chips would further increase the pulp yield had to be rejected. It is however anticipated that the combination of PHWE with successive co-culture fungal pretreatment would be very beneficial in obtaining higher pulp yields for fully bleached chemical pulp. Further research would be required to test this assumption. This investigation confirmed the expected beneficial effects of combined PHWE and FCCI pretreatments of wood chips on the strength properties. In addition the combined treatment also improved the initial bonding strength potential of the unbeaten fibres. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Onbehandelde en met onder druk, warm water uitgeloogde Eucalyptus grandis houtspaanders is respektiefwelik met 15% aktiewe alkali (AA) en 1% antrakinoon (AQ) verpulp. Hierdie is dan met swamkokulture van Aspergillus flavipes en Pycnoporus sanguineus inokuleer en respektiewelik vir drie en vier weke inkubeer. Onder druk uitgeloogde houtspaanders is ook vir 150 minute verpulp by 15% AA 1% AQ en by ‘n verminderde AA van 14%. Pulpevaluasies is uitgevoer op alle eksperimentele behandelinge. Alle onder druk uitgeloogde en met swamkokultuur inokuleerde houtspaanders het ‘n laer pulpopbrengs, uitskot, skilferinhoud, Kappanommer en ‘n hoër RAA en helderheid opgelewer in vergelyking met die vars houtspaanders. Die vars en warm water uitgeloogde houtspaanders het soortgelyke pulpopbrengs opgelewer. ‘n Variansieanalise (ANOVA) van die data van alle eskperimentele behandelings is uitgevoer gebruikmakende van Statistica (V7, 1984 – 2006). Die F-waarde (Fischer-verspreiding) an die p-waarde so wel as ‘n parametriese toets (Mann-Whitney prosedure) is getoets by ‘n 95% betroubaarheidsgrens. Vir ‘n verdere verhoging van die 95% betroubaarheidsgrens van die pulpopbrengs, is die beskikbare data weer getoets met die Bootstrap-metode. Alle gemiddelde pulpopbrengswaardes het geen beduidende statistiese verkil opgelewer nie (p>0.05), alhoewel verskille van tot 2.5% in pulpopbrengs verkry is. Alle gemiddelde uitskotwaardes het ‘n beduidende verskil getoon (p<0.05). Die ander pulpeienskappe soos skilferinhoud, verbruik aan chemikalieë, Kappagetal, handvel helderheid en sterktewaardes het gemengde resultate opgelewer maw verwerping of aanvaarding van die hipotese p> or =or < 0.05. Die hipotese dat die gekombineerde PHWE en FCCI van die houtspaanders die pulpopbrengs verder sou verhoog moes verwerp word. Daar word egter verwag dat die kombinasie van PHWE met opeenvolgende swamkokultuur behandeling baie voordelig sou wees op die pulpopbrengs van ‘n ten volle gebleikte chemiese pulp. Verdere navorsing is nodig om hierdie veronderstelling te toets. Die ondersoek het die verwagte woordelige effek van die gekombineerde PHWE en FCCI voorbehandelings van die houtspaanders op die papierstrkte-eienskappe bevestig. Bo en behalve dit, het die gekombineerde behandeling ook die aavanklikte bindsterkte potensiaal van die ongeklopte vessels verbeter.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:07:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RobertoCM_DISSERT.pdf: 2213383 bytes, checksum: 38393df8ecbad522fe143dac8fca7042 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-30 / This research studies the sintering of ferritic steel chips from the machining process. Were sintered metal powder obtained from machining process chips for face milling of a ferritic steel. The chip was produced by machining and characterized by SEM and EDS, and underwent a process of high energy mill powder characterized also by SEM and EDS. Were constructed three types of matrixes for uniaxial compression (relation l / d greater than 2.5). The differences in the design of the matrixes were essentially in the direction of load application, which for cylindrical case axial direction, while for the rectangular arrays, the longer side. Two samples were compressed with different geometries, a cylindrical and rectangular with the same compaction pressure of 700 MPa. The samples were sintered in a vacuum resistive furnace, heating rate 20 ?C / min., isotherm 1300 ?C for 60 minutes, and cooling rate of 25 ?C / min to room temperature. The starting material of the rectangular sample was further annealed up to temperature of 800 ? C for 30 min. Sintered samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and EDS. The sample compressed in the cylindrical matrix did not show a regular density reflecting in the sintered microstructure revealed by the irregular geometry of the pores, characterizing that the sintering was not complete, reaching only the second phase. As for the specimen compacted in the rectangular array, the analysis performed by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and EDS indicate a good densification, and homogeneous microstructure in their full extent. Additionally, the EDS analyzes indicate no significant changes in chemical composition in the process steps. Therefore, it is concluded that recycling of chips, from the processed ferritic steel is feasible by the powder metallurgy. It makes possible rationalize raw material and energy by manufacture of known properties components from chips generated by the machining process, being benefits to the environment / Esta pesquisa aborda o desenvolvimento de novos materiais e processos atrav?s da sinteriza??o de cavaco de a?o ferritico oriundo do processo de usinagem. Foram sinterizados p?s met?licos a partir de cavacos obtidos do processo de usinagem por fresamento frontal de um a?o ferr?tico. O cavaco foi produzido atrav?s de usinagem e caracterizado por MEV (microscopia eletr?nica de varredura) e EDS (electron dispersive spectroscopy), e sofreu um processo de moagem em moinho convencional para transforma??o em p?, que foi caracterizado, tamb?m, atrav?s de MEV e EDS. Foram constru?dos tr?s tipos de matrizes para compacta??o uniaxial com rela??o l/d maior que 2,5. A diferen?a na concep??o de projeto das matrizes consiste basicamente na dire??o de aplica??o da carga, que no caso cil?ndrico foi na dire??o axial da pe?a, enquanto que nas matrizes retangulares a aplica??o da carga foi na face mais longa. Foram compactadas amostras com duas geometrias diferentes, uma cil?ndrica e outra retangular com a mesma press?o de compacta??o de 700 MPa. As amostras foram sinterizadas em forno resistivo a v?cuo, com taxa de aquecimento de 20 ?C/min., com isoterma de 1300 ?C, durante 60 minutos, e taxa de resfriamento de 25?C/min at? a temperatura ambiente. O material de partida do sinterizado retangular foi adicionalmente recozido a uma temperatura de 800 ?C durante 30 minutos. As amostras sinterizadas foram caracterizadas por MEV, MO (microscopia ?ptica) e EDS. O corpo de prova compactado na matriz cil?ndrica n?o apresentou uma densidade regular refletindo na microestrutura do sinterizado, revelado pela geometria irregular dos poros, caracterizando a sinteriza??o parcial, atingindo somente a segunda fase, consequ?ncia da dureza do p? resultante da usinagem e moagem. Quanto ao corpo de prova compactado na matriz retangular, as an?lises realizadas atrav?s do MEV, MO e EDS, indicam uma boa densifica??o, al?m de homogeneidade na sua microestrutura em toda extens?o. Adicionalmente, as an?lises de EDS indicam n?o haver modifica??es significativas nas composi??es qu?micas nas etapas do processo. Portanto, conclui-se que a reciclagem de cavacos, oriundos da usinagem do a?o ferr?tico ? vi?vel pelo processo de sinteriza??o, o que possibilita a racionaliza??o de mat?ria prima e de energia, com a fabrica??o de componentes com propriedades conhecidas a partir de cavacos gerados pelo processo de usinagem trazendo benef?cios para o meio ambiente

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Technikon, 2000. / The large quantities of wood chips produced at mines from damaged underground timber contain gold that cannot be completely recovered by cyanidation. A fungus that can degrade a portion of the wood matrix will allow the gold that was previously locked up, to come into contact with the cyanide solution during beneficiation, thereby improving recoveries. The fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces enzymes that use the organic compounds found in lignin as substrate. Consequently, the fungus is able to selectively break down lignin, which is one of the major components of wood. Chips sampled from Vaal Reef Mine contained between 2 and 5 mg/kg gold. The main source of gold in the chips was determined to be impregnated gold-bearing ore and discrete gold particles. Direct cyanidation resulted in around 60 per cent recovery prior to biological treatment. Despite relatively high weight losses caused to the chips as a result of treatment with Phanerochaete chrysosporium gold recovery only increased 10 per cent after 4 weeks treatment compared to direct recovery without treatment.

O desenvolvimento de dispositivos microfluídicos biomiméticos, \"órgãos-em-chip\", tem permitido melhores respostas em ensaios que carecem de uma correlação fisiológica mais próxima da in vivo. Explorando as tecnologias da microfluídica e microfabricação, esses dispositivos recapitulam aspectos específicos de estruturas e funções dos órgãos. Ainda, os avanços obtidos em culturas tridimensionais de células, modelos de matrizes extracelulares e tecnologias direcionadas às células tronco, têm consolidado os órgãos-em-chip como uma ferramenta fundamental para a compreensão de diversas respostas biológicas do corpo humano frente às aplicações biomédicas, farmacêuticas, químicas e ambientais. Com os avanços da nanotecnologia e ciência dos materiais, inúmeros progressos têm sido alcançados na farmácia e na medicina. Devido à redução da escala, propriedades que se diferenciam substancialmente daquelas encontradas na escala macro são obtidas. As nanopartículas de dióxido de titânio (NPs TiO2) têm apresentado múltiplas aplicações na medicina e na indústria. Em vista disso, faz-se necessário a investigação dos efeitos tóxicos dessas nanopartículas, seja na saúde ou no meio ambiente. É bem documentado que as NPs TiO2 podem chegar à corrente sanguínea e alcançar vários órgãos, causando reações inflamatórias e interações celulares que podem ser patogenicamente relevantes. Assim, o presente trabalho propõe o estudo dos efeitos das NPs TiO2 em células endoteliais (HUVEC) cultivadas em um dispositivo microfluídico fabricado em poliéster-toner (PT), uma tecnologia simples que alia rapidez e baixo custo de produção. A viabilidade do uso dos microchips de PT foi avaliada por meio do teste MTT e produção de NO e verificou-se serem adequados para a cultura de células endoteliais. As células no sistema microfluídico foram expostas às NPs TiO2, e os resultados comparados a um sistema estático (placas de cultura de células) submetido às condições semelhantes. Os sobrenadantes de ambos os sistemas foram utilizados para determinação da produção de VEGF-A. Ademais, foram avaliadas a produção de aníon superóxido e a indução de apoptose. Os resultados esclarecem os mecanismos de toxicidade das NPs TiO2 e são correlacionados com as patologias que eventualmente estão associadas a esses efeitos. Por meio deste estudo, demonstrou-se o grande potencial dos microchips de PT para estudos em biologia celular, os quais podem fornecer a base para ensaios pré-clinicos com maior poder preditivo, alternativos ao uso de animais e cobaias na pesquisa científica. / The development of biomimetic microfluidic devices, \"organ-on-chips\", has allowed better responses in assays that need a closer in vivo physiological correlation. Exploring the technologies of microfluidics and microfabrication, these devices recapitulate specific aspects of structures and functions of the organs. In addition, the progress made in 3D cell cultures, extracellular matrix models, and stem cells technologies, have consolidated the organ-on-chips as a key tool for understanding various biological responses of the human body in face of biomedical, pharmaceutical, chemical, and environmental applications. With the advances in nanotechnology and materials science, much progress has been made in pharmacy and medicine. Due to the scale reduction, properties that differ substantially from those found on the macro scale are obtained. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have found many applications in medicine and industry. In view of this fact, it is necessary to investigate the toxic effects of nanoparticles, either on health or in the environment. It has been well documented that TiO2 NPs can reach the bloodstream and affect various organs, causing inflammatory reactions and cellular interactions that can be pathogenetically relevant. Thus, this work proposes the study of the effects of TiO2 NPs in endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured in a microfluidic device made of polyester toner (PT), a simple technology that combines speed and low cost of production. The viability of the use of PT microchips was evaluated by MTT assay and production of NO and we found that it is suitable for culturing of endothelial cells. The HUVEC in the microfluidic system were exposed to TiO2 NPs and the results compared to a static system (cell culture plates) subjected to similar conditions. Supernatants from both systems were used for determining the production of the VEGF-A. Furthermore, we have evaluated superoxide anion production and induction of apoptosis. The results clarify the mechanisms of toxicity of NPs TiO2 and are correlated with the pathologies that eventually are associated with these effects. Through this study, we demonstrated the great potential of PT microchips for studies in cell biology, which may provide the basis for pre-clinical trials with greater predictive power, alternative to the use of animals in scientific research.

In order to derive reliable protein networks it has recently been suggested that the combination of information from both gene and protein level is required. In this thesis a combination of gene expression and protein chip analysis was performed when constructing protein networks. Proteins with high affinity to the same substrates and encoded by genes with high correlation is here thought to constitute reliable protein networks. The protein networks derived are unfortunately not as reliable as were hoped for. According to the tests performed, the method derived in this thesis does not perform more than slightly better than chance. However, the poor results can depend on the data used, since mismatching and shortage of data has been evident.

Ce travail vise non seulement à la conception et la fabrication de nouvelles puces microfluidiques pour l'oxydation de l'alcool benzylique, mais aussi au développement d'une méthode utilisant le plasma. Cette dernière est consacrée à la fonctionnalisation de surface avec un liant afin d'ancrer des particules de catalyseur. Les résultats montrent que le procédé PECVD est une méthode universelle permettant de déposer un nombre élevé de fonctions amines à partir de l’APTES sur différentes surfaces. Suite à l’étude des différents paramètres, des conditions optimales ont été trouvées. En effet, par rapport à la fonctionnalisation conventionnelle par voie humide, une meilleure hydrophilicité, une épaisseur de dépôt ainsi qu’une densité de groupements amines plus élevées ont été obtenus sur les échantillons traités. De plus, les résultats avec les AuNPs immobilisés sur la zéolite indiquent que l’APTES est un meilleur précurseur que le MPTES car il offre une plus grande teneur en or. Pour la zéolite et AuNPs@zéolite, les particules sont fonctionnalisées à l'aide du CES en tant qu’agent de liaison pour les amines protonées présentes sur la surface du COC ; ce dernier étant prétraité en utilisant le procédé PECVD. Le microréacteur à base d'or présente une sélectivité élevée stable au benzaldéhyde (~94%). Cependant, il montre également une conversion faible d'alcool benzylique (~20%). Le microréacteur type AuNPs@zéolites réalise la meilleure activité catalytique dans notre étude, car une sélectivité élevée par rapport au benzaldéhyde (>99%) est obtenue avec la conversion la plus élevée de l'alcool benzylique (~40%). / This work aims not only at designing and fabricating new microfluidic chips for benzyl alcohol oxidation, but also at developing a methodology of plasma devoted to the surface functionalization with linkage reagent in order to anchor catalyst particles in the next step. Results show that the PECVD method is a universal method that can deposit high amine content of APTES polymerized film on various substrate surfaces. Optimized plasma conditions for APTES deposition were found and lead to a better hydrophilicity of the substrates, a higher coating thickness, as well as a higher amine group density than the conventional wet chemistry method. In addition, the APTES depositions lead to a further higher coverage and amount of AuNPs when the pH value is 6.2. Moreover, the results of immobilizing AuNPs on zeolite indicate that APTES is a better linker than MPTES as it provides a higher amount of gold loading. For zeolite and AuNPs@zeolite deposition, the particles were functionalized with carboxyl group using CES as a linker for bounding the protonated amines on COC surface that is pre-modified using PECVD method. The latter coating is stable in hydrodynamic flows and could be further used in microfluidics. Finally, the gold \Y zeolite \AuNPs@zeolite microreactors are respectively connected into pre-designed microfluidic system. The gold type microreactor exhibits stable high selectivity to benzaldehyde (~94%). However, it also shows relative low benzyl alcohol conversion (~20%). The AuNPs@zeolites type microreactor performs the best catalytic activity in our study as a high benzaldehyde selectivity (>99%) is obtained with the highest benzyl alcohol conversion (~40%).

Microfluidics deals with the behavior, control and manipulation of fluids which are confined at micrometer length scale. It has important application in lab-on-a chip technology, micro-propulsion, additive manufacturing, and micro-thermal technologies. Microfluidics has been widely used in detection, separation, transportation, and mixing of fluids and particles. The work carried out for the thesis to study the fluid-structure interaction in micro-channel involves an experimental part and a simulation part. In the experimental part the characterization of biofluid (RBC in BSA) is carried out based on the power law of fluid and flow behavior is studied. Also the dependence of fluid concentration on the viscosity in the channel is studied. The results are analyzed. Transition of fluid behavior from non-Newtonian shear thickening to non-Newtonian shear thinning is observed when the RBC concentration varies from 5.5×106 to 5.5×107 cells/ml in the channel. From the viscosity measurements of the biofluid it is observed that the average viscosity in the channel increases on increasing concentration of the fluid for shear thickening fluids. In the simulation part, interaction behavior of biomolecule DNA is studied in the channel containing biofluid which is characterized in the experimental part. Cell free DNAs are common problem in infectious disease detection. Based on the assumptions of the WLC model, DNA strand is assumed as a one dimensional elastic member with its one end fixed at the channel wall and the other end free to move in the fluid. Bent and straight DNAs are considered for the study. Multiple scales are involved in this problem which is not fully understood. DNA strands in the channel are exposed to different forces in the channel which are mainly due to the pressure and viscous effects. Numerical simulations are carried out for the multiphysics problem of DNA in the fluid using a coupled multiphysics finite element scheme and the results are obtained. Same procedure is carried out considering smaller channels and also for PBS solution as background fluid to obtain consistent results. It is found that when the channel width increases the tip displacement of DNA decreases. It was observed that DNA tip displacement is more in the channel when its end-to-end length is approximately half the width of the channel. Potential application of these modeling and simulation are in molecular screening processes to improve the performance of microfluidic DNA chips, and in design of micro-channel structures of microfluidic devices.

Reactive Black 5 and Procion Red MX 5B, an azo and anthraquinone dye repectively were decoulorized by mean of microorganisms growing on wood chips. The process consisted of three reactors, two anaerobic reactors and one aerobic reactor. The anaerobic process was used in order to make it possible to break the nitrogen bond of the azo group, (-N=N-) and the aerobic one to increase the possibility for the degradation of possible intermediates. After pumping wastewater through the system it was shown that mixtures or Reactive Black 5 and Procion Red MX 5B were efficiently decolourised at 50 mg/l as well as 200 mg/l of each of the dyes.