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The Effect of Nickel on
Thermophilic Bacteria for
Wastewater Treatment
Doanh Van, PhD., PE., CEM
•Associate Professor & Chair Engineering
Elsie Y. Smith
•Associate Professor of Biology
Midsouth Annual Engineering & Science Conference (May 11, 2005)
Christian Brothers University
The Wastewater of Interest
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Sewage (sea ward)
Any water that’s not useful.
• Residences and businesses.
• Process water discharged from manufacturing
plants.
Typical Analysis of
Domestic Wastewater
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Solids
BOD5
COD
TOC
N
P
Chlorides
Sulfates
Alkalinity
Grease
Total coliform
VOC
720 mg/L
220 mg/L
500 mg/L
160 mg/L
40 mg/L
8 mg/L
50 mg/L
30 mg/L
100 mg/L
100 mg/L
10 -100 million/100 mL
250 ppb
Typical Analysis of
Industrial Wastewater
COD
5,600 - 16,200 mg/L
BOD5
3,350 - 4,625 mg/L
TSS
160 - 340 mg/L
pH
6.1 - 8.1
Another Analysis of
Industrial Wastewater
COD
BOD5
TSS
pH
8,400 - 38,800 mg/L
5,250
- 24,250 mg/L
180 - 670 mg/L
3.5 - 5.4
Wastewater Treatment
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The removal of organic matters, solids, nutrients,
disease-causing organisms and other pollutants
from wastewater before readmitting it to the
receiving water body or discharging it to the
POTWs.
The Governing Law
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CWA or Clean Water Act (1987) aka
FWPCA (1972)
• Goal: to restore and maintain the chemical,
physical and biological integrity of the nation’s
waters
• Objectives: provide for propagation and
protection of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and
recreation. Also to eliminate the discharge of
pollutants (zero discharge)
The Science of
Wastewater Treatment
bacteria
CHONS + O2 --------------->> CO2 + H2O + NH3 + Others
organic
pollutants
Gravity causes separation of solid phase from liquid
The Use of Bacteria
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Psychrophilic (~13°C )
Mesophilic (~32°C )
Thermophilic (higher range of T)
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High strength (BOD5, COD) wastewater
Explosive laden wastewater
Rapid biodegradation
Low growth yields
Self-sustained process
About Thermophiles
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Bacteria with special enzymes (extremozymes)
• String of amino acids fold themselves very tightly.
• Have less amino acid glycine in the structure.
• Have chaperonin protein for bio maintenance
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110° C bacterial growth has been reported
250° C also reported-- questionable. (Atlas &
Mosby).
Wastewater Treatment
Technologies
Secondary Treatment
aka Biological Treatment
• Activated Sludge process
• Trickling Filter process
• Sequential Batch Reactor process
The Challenges in Treating Certain
Industrial Wastewater Stream:
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High strength
Potentially toxic organics
• Dissolved
• Suspended
One Highly Effective Process
High Strength
Waste Stream
Equalization
Tank
Thermophilic Biological
Reactor
Eff
Ultrafiltration
Recycle Sludge
Chemical Sludge
Treatment
http://www.pmcbiotec.com/downloads/Thermophilic_wastewater.pdf#search='thermophilic%20wastewater%20treatment‘
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A Pilot Scale Was Conducted
•1000-gallon SS reactor.
•Agitated.
•Insulated.
•Recirculation loop also included a 0.02-micron
ultrafiltration at 132 m3/d.
The Results
Temperature (degree C)
Thermophilic Reactor Acclimation Time
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
Time (days)
25
30
35
Temperature (degree C)
Steady State Thermophilic Reactor Operation
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
30
32
34
36
Time (days)
38
40
Reactor OUR vs Reactor Temperature
OUR (mg/l-h)
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10 25
30
35
40
45
Reactor Temperature (C)
50
55
60
Time (days)
Feed Concentration
Efficiency
79
73
67
61
55
49
43
37
31
25
19
13
COD Removal
Efficiency (%)
100.00
80.00
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
7
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
1
Feed
Concentration
(mg/L)
Feed Strength and COD Removal Efficiency
The Unexpected Problem
Temperature (degree C)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
75
80
85
90
95
100 105 110 115
time (days)
120 125 130
135 140
Total Heavy Metals
110 mg/L
Nickel
93.5
Cadmium
<0.01
Chromium
1.8
Lead
0.4
Zinc
13
Mercury
0.002
Silver
<0.01
Copper
0.43
Arsenic
0.002
Lessons Learned
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Thermophilic bacteria for wastewater
treatment technology is innovative.
Highly effective for organic wastestream.
Some inorganic contents in the feed
stream are very undesirable.
Nickel is fatal to thermophilic bacteria.
• It can alter cell’s membrane properties and
influences oxidation/reduction systems.
• It failed the process.
References
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“Microorganisms in Our World”, Ronald M. Atlas, Mosby, 1995, pp. 299-300.
http://www.microbe.org/microbes/thermophiles.asp
http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/abstract/276/20/16731
http://www.eagle-min.com/faq/faq101.htm
http://www.pmcbiotec.com/downloads/Thermophilic_wastewater.pdf#search='thermophilic
%20wastewater%20treatment‘
http://p2library.nfesc.navy.mil/P2_Opportunity_Handbook/9-II-9.html
http://ce.ecn.purdue.edu/~piwc/w3-research/lapara/lapara-research.html
http://www.cecl.com.tw/en_docs/scope/waste/tab/tab-e.htm
http://www.iwaponline.com/wst/04001/wst040010053.htm
http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/KK/B/B/G/C/_/kkbbgc.pdf