Filamentous bulking is a problem that has long plagued activated sludge (AS) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Much research has looked at its prevention and control but there is still no solution. The sludge microbiological community is very complex and there are many factors that can affect bulking. Clay addition in scaled-down activated sludge systems was investigated at concentrations of 0.4, 2.0 and 5.0 g/L along with sequencing batch reactor (SBR) parameters when run with a synthetic wastewater (SWW). The 5.0g/L concentration exhibited positive results on settling in the form of modified SVI but appeared to cause no reduction in filament length. These preliminary investigations indicate that clay may help improve sludge settling but make no difference in the abundance of filamentous microorganisms. The SBRs exhibited trends in regards to running systems with a synthetic wastewater. A loss of volatile suspended solids (VSS), coupled with increase in sludge volume index (SVI), suggested a link between lack of non-VSS and settling ability. This has implications in the importance of non-VSS such as grit or clay in research performed using SWWs.

Previous membrane researches undertaken over the years to develop general deadend filtration models made use of an approach that combined all three classical fouling mechanisms, namely, pore blocking, pore constriction and cake filtration. More recently researchers have modified and adapted this modelling approach for a cross flow side-stream membrane bioreactor (MBR) system. Literature also reveals that there have been numerous recent experimental studies conducted on rotating membrane bioreactor (RMBR) systems. Some of these studies have resulted in the creation of RMBR models of the membrane fouling process as well. However, simulation and modelling of the fouling in RMBRs is still a nascent topic to date due to poor understanding and great complexity of the system hydrodynamics involved. Even when models are developed, they are either too complex to be useful at operational level, or not comprehensive enough to express all possible operational scenarios. In many cases they are simply too difficult to calibrate and thus ending up being more suited as research tools rather than for direct process control. As such, further research is required in this area. The research reported in this thesis consists of the development and validation of a RMBR system fouling model that incorporates all three classical fouling mechanisms. This thesis work is divided into two main sections. On top of a literature review that thoroughly describes the background theory and general information on MBRs along with their state of the art, the first section of the thesis also explains the specific methodologies used to accomplish all the main tasks carried out in this research work. The first step of these methodologies involves the setting-up of a rotating MBR system process based upon the FUV-185-A15R Flexidisks membrane module that was developed by Avanti Membrane Technology (USA). This system was used to collect the majority of the data used in this thesis. Since some of these data outputs were compared against non-rotating MBR systems, a similar setting-up process for a bespoke static square MBR system was carried out as well. Using synthetic wastewater in conjunction with activated sludge, mixed liquor suspended solids in both MBR system bioreactors were increased in levels over time to desired levels (i.e. by periodic excess sludge wasting). Trans-membrane pressure (TMP)-stepping fouling data was then acquired from operations of these membrane ultrafiltration processes. This data was obtained by measuring the flux decline or TMP increase. Following data collection, a dynamic fouling model for this RMBR system was then created in Matlab (using the Genetic Algorithm function). To do this, hydrodynamic regimes such as air scouring and rotating shear effects along with all the three classical fouling mechanisms were included in the mathematical fouling model that was created from first principles. For the purpose of comparison, a similar fouling model was created without incorporating the rotational effects for the static square MBR system. This included modelling of the hydrodynamics as well. Finally, both these models were validated and calibrated using the data that were collected from both laboratory-based MBR systems. The second phase of the thesis explores the numerous outputted results produced via model simulations which were then discussed and analysed in great detail. Results from this research indicate that the mathematical models give a decent portrayal and description of the fouling mechanisms occurring within a rotating MBR system. It was found that the rotational mechanisms in terms of fouling prevention accounted for only twelve percent of cake removal with the rest being accomplished through the air scouring mechanism. However, it was found that although the slowly rotating spindle induced a weak crossflow shear, it was still able to even out cake build up across the membrane surface, thus reducing the likelihood of localised critical flux being exceeded, which would lead to dramatic loss of flux. Furthermore, when compared against the static MBR system, the study concluded that a rotating MBR system could increase the flux throughput by a significant amount. In conclusion, RMBR systems appear to represent alternative viable solutions when compared against the traditional static MBR systems that currently dominate the industrial and municipal marketplace. In future, RMBR systems may become the systems of first choice once there is a better understanding of the rotational processes, and once research and design into this sector broadens. Future study areas should thus focus on: whether the forces acting on an activated sludge particle during rotation have a significant effect on the fouling or the shear hydrodynamic regimes; whether activated sludge and benchmark models could be created for rotating MBRs whilst including the shear effects and hydrodynamic regimes; whether model predictive control using these developed RMBR models would enhance efficiency gains within an operational plant; and, whether the real measured soluble microbial products (SMP) concentrations could be used to create an even better SMP predictive model that accurately explains fouling behaviour.

Os compostos fenólicos estão presentes em grande número de efluentes industriais, cujos lançamentos inadequados podem acarretar em riscos ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana. O uso de fungos em reatores biológicos é uma alternativa de tratamento de despejos que possuem compostos persistentes, como fenóis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a viabilidade do uso de Aspergillus niger em reator biológico para o tratamento de água residuária sintética contendo fenol. O trabalho foi realizado com dois tipos de reatores: em batelada e reatores contínuos com escoamento ascendente. No experimento em batelada, foram utilizados 5 reatores de controle (RC), 5 com fungos (RF) e 5 com fungos e glicose (RFG), verificando-se o uso de glicose (5 g/L), como substrato primário, e a remoção do fenol pelos fungos. Estes apresentaram maior desenvolvimento nos reatores contendo glicose (RFG), alcançando-se remoção de 100% de fenol, no quinto e último dia de experimento. Nestes reatores, a velocidade média de consumo de fenol foi quase o dobro da desenvolvida nos reatores sem glicose (RF). A remoção de matéria orgânica, medida como DQO, foi superior nos reatores contendo glicose (RFG) e atingiu 93%, no quinto dia. Não houve remoção significativa de fenol nos reatores de controle. Nos RF, as maiores remoções de fenol e matéria orgânica foram registradas no quinto dia e foram, respectivamente, de 48% e 27%. As maiores remoções de fenol em relação à de matéria orgânica indicam, possivelmente, a presença de compostos intermediários da degradação do fenol. Os reatores contínuos, cada um com volume total de 4,45 L e com meios suportes de manta de polipropileno (R1) e espuma de poliuretano (R2), foram mantidos sob as mesmas condições operacionais, durante 399 dias, divididos em três tempos de detenção hidráulica: 8 h, dividido em duas fases de alimentação (Fase I – alimentação complementada com glicose e Fase II – alimentação sem complementação de glicose); 4 h e 6 h. As maiores remoções de fenol ocorreram durante o tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 8 h, tanto com a presença ou não de 0,5 g/L de glicose no afluente, obtendo-se, na Fase I, remoções médias de fenol de 99,5% '+ OU -' 2 (R1) e de 98% '+ OU -' 5 (R2) e, na Fase II, 99,6% '+ OU -' 1(R1) e 92% '+ OU -' 23 (R2). No tempo de detenção hidráulica de 4 h, a remoção média de fenol ficou em torno de 50%, em ambos os reatores. Com o tempo de detenção hidráulica de 6 h, houve melhora na eficiência de remoção, atingindo 72% '+ OU -' 35 (R1) e 78% '+ OU -' 25 (R2). Análises microscópicas revelaram que os fungos cresceram bem nos suportes empregados, porém o uso de espuma de poliuretano provocou maiores problemas operacionais. Apesar dos bons resultados de remoção de matéria orgânica e de fenol, houve crescimento excessivo de biomassa no interior dos reatores contínuos, o que resultou na colmatação do leito, indicando necessidade de se procurar melhor ajuste nutricional do meio para controlar a geração de biomassa. / The phenolic compounds are present in a great quantity in industrial effluents, which inappropriate release can cause serious damage to the environment and to human health. The usage of fungi in biological reactors is an alternative to the treatment of wastes that contain compounds with persistent nature like phenol. The goal of this work was the study of the available usage of Aspergillus niger in a biological reactor treating synthetic wastewater containing phenol. The work was realized in batch and upflow continuous reactors. Five control reactors (CR) were applied in the batch experiment, being five with fungi (FR) and five with fungi and glucose (GFR), in order to verify the application of glucose (5 g/L) as main substrate and the removal of phenol by fungi. These presented better development in the reactors containing glucose, with the achievement of 100% of phenol removal in the fifth and last day of the experiment. In these reactors, the mean consumption velocity of phenol was approximately the double of those that were developed in the reactors without glucose. The organic matter removal (measured as COD) was higher in the reactors containing glucose, achieving 93% in the fifth day. There was no significant phenol removal in the control reactors. The higher removals of 48% for phenol and 27% for organic matter were observed in the RF reactors in the fifth day, indicating the possible presence of intermediate compounds in the phenol degradation. The continuous reactors were built with total volume of 4,45 L each one, with polypropylene blanket as support media in the R1 reactor and polyurethane foam as support media in the R2 reactor. The reactors were kept in the same operational conditions during 399 days. These conditions were divided in three hydraulic detention times (HDT): 8 h, divided in two feeding phases (Phase I – feeding complemented with glucose and Phase II – feeding without complementation of glucose); 4 h and 6 h. The higher phenol removals occurred during the hydraulic detention time of 8 h, in the presence and absence of 0,5 g/L of glucose in the influent. The mean phenol removals of 99,5% '+ OU -' 2 (R1) and 98% '+ OU -' 5 (R2) were attained in the Phase I, and 99,6% '+ OU -' 1 (R1) and 92% '+ OU -' 23 (R2) in the Phase II. The mean phenol removal was around 50% in both reactors when hydraulic detention time of 4 h was applied. With the hydraulic detention time of 6 h, there was improvement in the removal efficiency that achieved 72% '+ OU -' 35 for R1 reactor and 78% '+ OU -' 25 for R2 reactor. The microscopic analyses showed that fungi grew well in the applied support media, but the usage of polyurethane foam caused more operational problems. Even with the good results of the organic matter and phenol removals, there was excessive growth of biomass inside the reactors. This resulted in the clogging of the blanket, indicating the necessity of better nutritional adjustment of the media to control the biomass generation.

Os compostos fenólicos estão presentes em grande número de efluentes industriais, cujos lançamentos inadequados podem acarretar em riscos ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana. O uso de fungos em reatores biológicos é uma alternativa de tratamento de despejos que possuem compostos persistentes, como fenóis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a viabilidade do uso de Aspergillus niger em reator biológico para o tratamento de água residuária sintética contendo fenol. O trabalho foi realizado com dois tipos de reatores: em batelada e reatores contínuos com escoamento ascendente. No experimento em batelada, foram utilizados 5 reatores de controle (RC), 5 com fungos (RF) e 5 com fungos e glicose (RFG), verificando-se o uso de glicose (5 g/L), como substrato primário, e a remoção do fenol pelos fungos. Estes apresentaram maior desenvolvimento nos reatores contendo glicose (RFG), alcançando-se remoção de 100% de fenol, no quinto e último dia de experimento. Nestes reatores, a velocidade média de consumo de fenol foi quase o dobro da desenvolvida nos reatores sem glicose (RF). A remoção de matéria orgânica, medida como DQO, foi superior nos reatores contendo glicose (RFG) e atingiu 93%, no quinto dia. Não houve remoção significativa de fenol nos reatores de controle. Nos RF, as maiores remoções de fenol e matéria orgânica foram registradas no quinto dia e foram, respectivamente, de 48% e 27%. As maiores remoções de fenol em relação à de matéria orgânica indicam, possivelmente, a presença de compostos intermediários da degradação do fenol. Os reatores contínuos, cada um com volume total de 4,45 L e com meios suportes de manta de polipropileno (R1) e espuma de poliuretano (R2), foram mantidos sob as mesmas condições operacionais, durante 399 dias, divididos em três tempos de detenção hidráulica: 8 h, dividido em duas fases de alimentação (Fase I – alimentação complementada com glicose e Fase II – alimentação sem complementação de glicose); 4 h e 6 h. As maiores remoções de fenol ocorreram durante o tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 8 h, tanto com a presença ou não de 0,5 g/L de glicose no afluente, obtendo-se, na Fase I, remoções médias de fenol de 99,5% '+ OU -' 2 (R1) e de 98% '+ OU -' 5 (R2) e, na Fase II, 99,6% '+ OU -' 1(R1) e 92% '+ OU -' 23 (R2). No tempo de detenção hidráulica de 4 h, a remoção média de fenol ficou em torno de 50%, em ambos os reatores. Com o tempo de detenção hidráulica de 6 h, houve melhora na eficiência de remoção, atingindo 72% '+ OU -' 35 (R1) e 78% '+ OU -' 25 (R2). Análises microscópicas revelaram que os fungos cresceram bem nos suportes empregados, porém o uso de espuma de poliuretano provocou maiores problemas operacionais. Apesar dos bons resultados de remoção de matéria orgânica e de fenol, houve crescimento excessivo de biomassa no interior dos reatores contínuos, o que resultou na colmatação do leito, indicando necessidade de se procurar melhor ajuste nutricional do meio para controlar a geração de biomassa. / The phenolic compounds are present in a great quantity in industrial effluents, which inappropriate release can cause serious damage to the environment and to human health. The usage of fungi in biological reactors is an alternative to the treatment of wastes that contain compounds with persistent nature like phenol. The goal of this work was the study of the available usage of Aspergillus niger in a biological reactor treating synthetic wastewater containing phenol. The work was realized in batch and upflow continuous reactors. Five control reactors (CR) were applied in the batch experiment, being five with fungi (FR) and five with fungi and glucose (GFR), in order to verify the application of glucose (5 g/L) as main substrate and the removal of phenol by fungi. These presented better development in the reactors containing glucose, with the achievement of 100% of phenol removal in the fifth and last day of the experiment. In these reactors, the mean consumption velocity of phenol was approximately the double of those that were developed in the reactors without glucose. The organic matter removal (measured as COD) was higher in the reactors containing glucose, achieving 93% in the fifth day. There was no significant phenol removal in the control reactors. The higher removals of 48% for phenol and 27% for organic matter were observed in the RF reactors in the fifth day, indicating the possible presence of intermediate compounds in the phenol degradation. The continuous reactors were built with total volume of 4,45 L each one, with polypropylene blanket as support media in the R1 reactor and polyurethane foam as support media in the R2 reactor. The reactors were kept in the same operational conditions during 399 days. These conditions were divided in three hydraulic detention times (HDT): 8 h, divided in two feeding phases (Phase I – feeding complemented with glucose and Phase II – feeding without complementation of glucose); 4 h and 6 h. The higher phenol removals occurred during the hydraulic detention time of 8 h, in the presence and absence of 0,5 g/L of glucose in the influent. The mean phenol removals of 99,5% '+ OU -' 2 (R1) and 98% '+ OU -' 5 (R2) were attained in the Phase I, and 99,6% '+ OU -' 1 (R1) and 92% '+ OU -' 23 (R2) in the Phase II. The mean phenol removal was around 50% in both reactors when hydraulic detention time of 4 h was applied. With the hydraulic detention time of 6 h, there was improvement in the removal efficiency that achieved 72% '+ OU -' 35 for R1 reactor and 78% '+ OU -' 25 for R2 reactor. The microscopic analyses showed that fungi grew well in the applied support media, but the usage of polyurethane foam caused more operational problems. Even with the good results of the organic matter and phenol removals, there was excessive growth of biomass inside the reactors. This resulted in the clogging of the blanket, indicating the necessity of better nutritional adjustment of the media to control the biomass generation.

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.

Em um reator de fundo redondo e volume útil de 5 L tratando esgoto sintético com carga orgânica de 800 mgDQO.'L POT.-1' com biomassa granulada a influência do tipo de escoamento e velocidade rotacional foi investigada com o uso de cinco impelidores sendo eles turbina e pá de seis pás planas verticais, turbina e pá de seis pás planas inclinadas 45 graus e hélice, comumente aplicados em processos biológicos. Foi também investigada a viabilidade de implementação de tubo de tiragem ao reator em conjunto com os impelidores tipo hélice e tipo pá de pás planas inclinadas alternadamente, com vistas a melhorar a mistura e conseqüente transferência de massa no meio reacional. Os resultados mostram que a alteração do tipo de impelidor e as variações da velocidade rotacional não exerceram influência significativa sobre a estabilidade e desempenho dos sistemas estudados. Entretanto a análise das constantes do modelo cinético de primeira ordem mostrou que a alteração na velocidade rotacional exerceu influência de aumento dos valores das constantes, demonstrando com isto que o aumento da velocidade rotacional melhora a transferência de massa sólido-líquido no meio reacional. A análise das constantes cinéticas também demonstrou que a promoção de escoamento axial em reatores agitados mecanicamente é preferível ao escoamento radial quando comparados os impelidores tipo pá de pás planas verticais e de pás planas inclinadas. A presença do tubo de tiragem demonstrou incrementar significativamente a transferência de massa, através do aumento dos valores numéricos das constantes utilizadas no ajuste do modelo cinético de primeira ordem aos valores experimentais. A potência consumida foi inferior a 1,6.'10 POT.-3' HP/'M POT.3' com rotações abaixo de 200 rpm e os impelidores axiais consumiram 75% a menos de potência do que os radiais / The effect of flow type and rotor speed were investigated in a round-bottom reactor with 5 L useful volume containing granular biomass and treating synthetic wastewater with organic load of 800 mgCOD.'L POT.-1'. Five impellers have been used to this end, namely: turbine and paddle with six-vertical-flat blade, turbine and paddle with six-45 degrees-inclined-flat-blade and helix, commonly used in biological processes. Utilization of a draft tube together with the helix and six-alternately-inclined-flat-blade impellers was also assessed as a means to improve mixing and consequently mass transfer in the reaction medium. Results showed that altering impeller type and variation in rotor speed did not exert significant effect on the stability and performance of the investigated systems. However, analysis of the first order kinetic model constants showed that alteration in rotor speed resulted in increase in the values of the constants, demonstrating that increase in rotor speed improves solid-liquid mass transfer in the reaction medium. Analysis of the kinetic constants also showed that axial flow in mechanically stirred reactors is preferable over radial flow when the vertical flat blade impeller is compared to the inclined flat blade impeller. The presence of the draft tube showed significant improvement in mass transfer, which could be seen by the increase in the values of the constants used in the fit of the first order kinetic model to the experimental values. The power consumed was less than 1.6.'10 POT.-3' HP/'M POT.3' at rotor frequency below 200 rpm and the axial impellers consumed 75% less power than the radial ones

Este trabalho apresenta o desempenho de um sistema de reatores seqüenciais em batelada aeróbio/anaeróbio, na remoção de matéria carbonácea (DQO) e nitrogenada, no tratamento de esgoto sanitário sintético, simulando esgoto doméstico. O sistema era composto por dois reatores dispostos em série, um aeróbio (RSBAe), responsável pela remoção de matéria carbonácea e nitrificação e outro, anaeróbio (RSBAn), responsável pela desnitrificação. Os reatores foram construídos em acrílico transparente, com volume total de 16,5 L e volume útil de 13,5 L. A operação dos reatores foi realizada com ciclos de 12h e 24h, na fase de adaptação, e de 24h, nas fases subseqüentes. O RSBAn foi agitado intermitentemente recirculando-se o biogás produzido e o RSBAe foi aerado/misturado continuamente. Foram testadas, como fontes de carbono para a desnitrificação, seis diferentes substratos, sendo que eram compostos por combinações dos constituintes do substrato sintético (variações percentuais de proteínas, carboidratos e lipídeos em termos de DQO), e as outras duas, metanol e etanol. A eficiência atingida, na remoção de DQO, foi em média de 95%, e as eficiências alcançadas na nitrificação e desnitrificação foram em média de 99%, para qualquer uma das fontes de carbono utilizadas. / This work presents the performance of (aerobic/anaerobic) sequencing batch reactors in the removal of carbonaceous (COD) and nitrogen matter treating synthetic substrate, simulating domestic wastewater. The system was composed of two reactors in series, one aerobic (RSBAe), responsible for the carbonaceous and nitrogen removal and another, anaerobic (RSBAn), responsible for denitrification. The reactors were built in transparent Plexiglas with total volume of 16,5 L and useful volume of 13,5 L. The reactors operation was carried out with cycles of 12h and 24h, in the adaptation phase, and 24h, in the other phases. The RSBAn were agitated intermittently by recycling the produced biogas and the RSBAe were aerated/agitated continuously. Six different subtracts were tested as carbon sources for denitrification four of them were composed by synthetic substrate combinations (percent variations of protein, carboidrates and lipids as COD) and the other two, methanol and ethanol. The COD removaI efficiency, in the COD removal, was about 95%, and the achieved efficiency in the nitrification and denitrification were about 99%, for any of the carbon source assayed.

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.

Este trabalho apresenta o desempenho de um sistema de reatores seqüenciais em batelada aeróbio/anaeróbio, na remoção de matéria carbonácea (DQO) e nitrogenada, no tratamento de esgoto sanitário sintético, simulando esgoto doméstico. O sistema era composto por dois reatores dispostos em série, um aeróbio (RSBAe), responsável pela remoção de matéria carbonácea e nitrificação e outro, anaeróbio (RSBAn), responsável pela desnitrificação. Os reatores foram construídos em acrílico transparente, com volume total de 16,5 L e volume útil de 13,5 L. A operação dos reatores foi realizada com ciclos de 12h e 24h, na fase de adaptação, e de 24h, nas fases subseqüentes. O RSBAn foi agitado intermitentemente recirculando-se o biogás produzido e o RSBAe foi aerado/misturado continuamente. Foram testadas, como fontes de carbono para a desnitrificação, seis diferentes substratos, sendo que eram compostos por combinações dos constituintes do substrato sintético (variações percentuais de proteínas, carboidratos e lipídeos em termos de DQO), e as outras duas, metanol e etanol. A eficiência atingida, na remoção de DQO, foi em média de 95%, e as eficiências alcançadas na nitrificação e desnitrificação foram em média de 99%, para qualquer uma das fontes de carbono utilizadas. / This work presents the performance of (aerobic/anaerobic) sequencing batch reactors in the removal of carbonaceous (COD) and nitrogen matter treating synthetic substrate, simulating domestic wastewater. The system was composed of two reactors in series, one aerobic (RSBAe), responsible for the carbonaceous and nitrogen removal and another, anaerobic (RSBAn), responsible for denitrification. The reactors were built in transparent Plexiglas with total volume of 16,5 L and useful volume of 13,5 L. The reactors operation was carried out with cycles of 12h and 24h, in the adaptation phase, and 24h, in the other phases. The RSBAn were agitated intermittently by recycling the produced biogas and the RSBAe were aerated/agitated continuously. Six different subtracts were tested as carbon sources for denitrification four of them were composed by synthetic substrate combinations (percent variations of protein, carboidrates and lipids as COD) and the other two, methanol and ethanol. The COD removaI efficiency, in the COD removal, was about 95%, and the achieved efficiency in the nitrification and denitrification were about 99%, for any of the carbon source assayed.

Em um reator de fundo redondo e volume útil de 5 L tratando esgoto sintético com carga orgânica de 800 mgDQO.'L POT.-1' com biomassa granulada a influência do tipo de escoamento e velocidade rotacional foi investigada com o uso de cinco impelidores sendo eles turbina e pá de seis pás planas verticais, turbina e pá de seis pás planas inclinadas 45 graus e hélice, comumente aplicados em processos biológicos. Foi também investigada a viabilidade de implementação de tubo de tiragem ao reator em conjunto com os impelidores tipo hélice e tipo pá de pás planas inclinadas alternadamente, com vistas a melhorar a mistura e conseqüente transferência de massa no meio reacional. Os resultados mostram que a alteração do tipo de impelidor e as variações da velocidade rotacional não exerceram influência significativa sobre a estabilidade e desempenho dos sistemas estudados. Entretanto a análise das constantes do modelo cinético de primeira ordem mostrou que a alteração na velocidade rotacional exerceu influência de aumento dos valores das constantes, demonstrando com isto que o aumento da velocidade rotacional melhora a transferência de massa sólido-líquido no meio reacional. A análise das constantes cinéticas também demonstrou que a promoção de escoamento axial em reatores agitados mecanicamente é preferível ao escoamento radial quando comparados os impelidores tipo pá de pás planas verticais e de pás planas inclinadas. A presença do tubo de tiragem demonstrou incrementar significativamente a transferência de massa, através do aumento dos valores numéricos das constantes utilizadas no ajuste do modelo cinético de primeira ordem aos valores experimentais. A potência consumida foi inferior a 1,6.'10 POT.-3' HP/'M POT.3' com rotações abaixo de 200 rpm e os impelidores axiais consumiram 75% a menos de potência do que os radiais / The effect of flow type and rotor speed were investigated in a round-bottom reactor with 5 L useful volume containing granular biomass and treating synthetic wastewater with organic load of 800 mgCOD.'L POT.-1'. Five impellers have been used to this end, namely: turbine and paddle with six-vertical-flat blade, turbine and paddle with six-45 degrees-inclined-flat-blade and helix, commonly used in biological processes. Utilization of a draft tube together with the helix and six-alternately-inclined-flat-blade impellers was also assessed as a means to improve mixing and consequently mass transfer in the reaction medium. Results showed that altering impeller type and variation in rotor speed did not exert significant effect on the stability and performance of the investigated systems. However, analysis of the first order kinetic model constants showed that alteration in rotor speed resulted in increase in the values of the constants, demonstrating that increase in rotor speed improves solid-liquid mass transfer in the reaction medium. Analysis of the kinetic constants also showed that axial flow in mechanically stirred reactors is preferable over radial flow when the vertical flat blade impeller is compared to the inclined flat blade impeller. The presence of the draft tube showed significant improvement in mass transfer, which could be seen by the increase in the values of the constants used in the fit of the first order kinetic model to the experimental values. The power consumed was less than 1.6.'10 POT.-3' HP/'M POT.3' at rotor frequency below 200 rpm and the axial impellers consumed 75% less power than the radial ones