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A pre-screening tool for the anaerobic treatment of complex industrial effluents and wastewaters.

The objective of this investigation was to assess the potential of a titration bioassay i.e.: The

Methanogenic Activity and Inhibition Analyser (MAlA), to determine the biodegradability of

complex industrial effluents and wastewaters. Specifically, the project aimed to provide an

alternative experimental method to the serum bottle method so that hazardous effluents can be

pre-screened for treatment in under-utilised anaerobic digesters at sewage treatment plants in

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This study also aimed to provide a protocol and a simple

mathematical model as experimental tools that could contribute to the development of future

pre-screening studies.

MAIA was used to conduct biodegradability and toxicity studies on semi-hazardous landfill

leachate and textile size effluent. Thereafter, selected studies were repeated using a

conventional screening method i.e.: serum bottle method. The investigation with MAlA

revealed that both effluent substrates had potential for anaerobic treatment. However, the

studies highlighted certain intrinsic limitations of the MAIA apparatus to effectively

pre-screen complex substrates. The existing titrimetric system is too coarse to accurately track

the biochemical pathways leading from the breakdown of complex compounds to methane

gas production. Further, temperature interferences and gas phase diffusion limitations

associated with the existing design make the assessment of activity difficult.

The titrimetric method is comparable to the serum bottle method only if a qualitative

assessment of toxicity and biodegradability is needed. However, the titrimetric method

produces results in a much shorter period of time compared to the serum bottle method.

Evaluated in this way the titrimetric method is the better alternative. However, the current

system cannot challenge the reliability of the serum bottle method to provide good

quantitative results.

A mathematical model was developed which is much less detailed than the existing one

provided by Remigi (2001). It comprises only two significant anaerobic processes namely

hydrolysis and acetogenesis. Simulation trials have suggested that the model is a necessary

and beneficial component ofthe titrimetric pre-screening protocol.

This investigation has also led to the development of a more refined operating manual for

MAIA.The manual provides a step-wise method for the preparation and conduction of

pre-screening tests. Specifically, it highlights the need for a suitable biomass acclimation

period and the importance ofnutrient use for better pre-screening assessments. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/4184
Date January 2003
CreatorsNaidoo, Dinesh.
ContributorsBuckley, Christopher A.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis

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