Germán Buitrón

Biohydrogen production from Tequila vinasses in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor: effect of initial substrate concentration, temperature and hydraulic retention time.

The effect of the temperature (25 and 35 degrees C), the hydraulic retention time, HRT, (12 and 24 h) and initial substrate concentration on hydrogen production from Tequila vinasse was studied using a sequencing batch reactor. When 25 degrees C and 12-h HRT were applied, only insignificant biogas quantities were produced; however, using 24 h of HRT and temperatures of 25 and 35 degrees C, biogas containing hydrogen was produced. A maximum volumetric hydrogen production rate of 50.5 mL H(2) L(-1) h(-1) (48 mmol H(2) L(reactor)(-1) d(-1)) and an average hydrogen content in the biogas of 29.2+/-8.8% were obtained when the reactor was fed with 3 g COD L(-1), at 35 degrees C and 12-h HRT. Methane formation was observed when the longer HRT was applied. Results demonstrated the feasibility to produce hydrogen from this waste without a previous pre-treatment.

Biodegradation of phenolic compounds by an acclimated activated sludge and isolated bacteria

The degradation of a mixture of phenol, 4-chlorophenol (4CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (24DCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (246TCP) by acclimated activated sludge and by isolated bacteria was studied. Activated sludge was acclimated for 70 days to 40 mg phenols/l then the microorganisms responsible for the CP degradation were isolated and identified. Four types of Gram-negative bacteria ( Aeromonas sp., Pseudomonas sp. Flavomonas oryzihabitans, and Chryseomonas luteola ) were identified. Also, two acid-fast bacilli with distinct glycolipid patterns were isolated. From their chemical composition and their growth characteristics, both isolates appeared to be mycobacteria closely related to Mycobacterium peregrinum . The degradation kinetics of each phenol by Aeromonas sp., Pseudomonas sp. Flavomonas oryzihabitans, Chryseomonas luteola and activated sludge were determined. The acclimated activated sludge degradation rates were from one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of pure strains when uptake rates were calculated in terms of the viable biomass (CFU). The specific substrate uptake rate for acclimated activated sludge varied between 8.2 and 15.8 × 10−7 mg/CFU·d (407-784 mg/gVSS·d). Aeromonas sp. had the highest specific substrate uptake rate of the pure strains, based on a VSS basis (33-57 mg/gVSS·d) but, in terms of viable biomass (5.0-15.6 × 10−8 mg/CFU·d), the Pseudomonas sp. rate was the highest. Specific substrate uptake rates were 1.8 mg chlorinated phenols/g VSS·d for unacclimated activated sludge.

Microbial communities from 20 different hydrogen-producing reactors studied by 454 pyrosequencing

To provide new insight into the dark fermentation process, a multi-lateral study was performed to study the microbiology of 20 different lab-scale bioreactors operated in four different countries (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay). Samples (29) were collected from bioreactors with different configurations, operation conditions, and performances. The microbial communities were analyzed using 16S rRNA genes 454 pyrosequencing. The results showed notably uneven communities with a high predominance of a particular genus. The phylum Firmicutes predominated in most of the samples, but the phyla Thermotogae or Proteobacteria dominated in a few samples. Genera from three physiological groups were detected: high-yield hydrogen producers (Clostridium, Kosmotoga, Enterobacter), fermenters with low-hydrogen yield (mostly from Veillonelaceae), and competitors (Lactobacillus). Inocula, reactor configurations, and substrates influence the microbial communities. This is the first joint effort that evaluates hydrogen-producing reactors and operational conditions from different countries and contributes to understand the dark fermentation process.

The source of inoculum plays a defining role in the development of MEC microbial consortia fed with acetic and propionic acid mixtures

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) can be used as a downstream process to dark fermentation to further capture electron in volatile fatty acids that remain after fermentation, improving this way the viability of the overall process. Acetic and propionic acid are common products of dark fermentation. The main objective of this work was to investigate the effect of different initial concentrations of a mixture of acetic and propionic acids on MECs microbial ecology and hydrogen production performance. To link microbial structure and function, we characterized the anode respiring biofilm communities using pyrosequencing and quantitative-PCR. The best hydrogen production rates (265mL/d/Lreactor) were obtained in the first block of experiments by MEC fed with 1500mg/L acetic acid and 250mg/L propionic acid. This reactor presents in the anode biofilm an even distribution of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and Arcobacter was the dominant genera. The above fact also correlated to the highest electron load among all the reactors. It was evidenced that although defined acetic and propionic acid concentrations fed affected the structure of the microbial consortia that developed at the anode, the initial inoculum played a major role in the development of MEC microbial consortia.

A cost-effective strategy for the bio-prospecting of mixed microalgae with high carbohydrate content: Diversity fluctuations in different growth media

In recent years, widespread efforts have been directed towards decreasing the costs associated with microalgae culture systems for the production of biofuels. In this study, a simple and inexpensive strategy to bio-prospect and cultivate mixed indigenous chlorophytes with a high carbohydrate content for biomethane and biohydrogen production was developed. Mixed microalgae were collected from four different water-bodies in Queretaro, Mexico, and were grown in Bolds basal mineral medium and secondary effluent from a wastewater treatment plant using inexpensive photo-bioreactors. The results showed large fluctuations in microalgal genera diversity based on different culture media and nitrogen sources. In secondary effluent, Golenkinia sp. and Scenedesmus sp. proliferated. The carbohydrate content, for secondary effluent, varied between 12% and 57%, and the highest volumetric and areal productivity were 61 mg L(-1)d(-1) and 4.6 g m(-2)d(-1), respectively. These results indicate that mixed microalgae are a good feedstock for biomethane and biohydrogen production.

Azo dye decolorization assisted by chemical and biogenic sulfide.

The effectiveness of chemical and biogenic sulfide in decolorizing three sulfonated azo dyes and the robustness of a sulfate-reducing process for simultaneous decolorization and sulfate removal were evaluated. The results demonstrated that decolorization of azo dyes assisted by chemical sulfide and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) was effective. In the absence of AQDS, biogenic sulfide was more efficient than chemical sulfide for decolorizing the azo dyes. The performance of sulfate-reducing bacteria in attached-growth sequencing batch reactors suggested the absence of competition between the studied azo dyes and the sulfate-reducing process for the reducing equivalents. Additionally, the presence of chemical reduction by-products had an almost negligible effect on the sulfate removal rate, which was nearly constant (94%) after azo dye injection.

Enhancement of the Biodegradation Activity by the Acclimation of the Inoculum

A respirometric technique to monitor the microbial activity during acclimation is presented. The methodology is based on the carbon dioxide produced during mineralization of organic substrates in a sequencing batch reactor. Phenol and 4-chlorophenol were used as the source of carbon and energy. Activated sludge was the source of inoculum. The specific substrate removal rate and the specific carbon dioxide production rate were correlated. Specific substrate removal rates varied, for phenol between 80 and 242 mg substrate.(g MLSS.h)−1 and, for 4-chlorophenol, qav was 115 mg substrate.(g MLSS.h)−1. A negative influence of starvation periods on the activity of acclimated micro-organisms was observed.

Evaluation of three reagent dosing strategies in a photo-Fenton process for the decolorization of azo dye mixtures

Three reagent dosing strategies used in the solar photo-assisted decolorization of a mixture of sulfonated dyes consisting of acid blue 113, acid orange 7 and acid red 151 were evaluated. Results demonstrated that the dosing strategy influenced both reagent consumption and the biodegradability and toxicity of the effluent. In one strategy (E(1)), the Fentons reactants were dosed in a punctual mode, while in the other two strategies (E(2) an E(3)), the reactants were dosed continuously. In the E(2) strategy the reactants were dosed by varying the duration of the injection time. In the E(3) strategy, the reactants were dosed during 60 min at a constant rate, but with different concentrations. All cases showed that feeding the reactor between 40% and 60% of the maximal dose was sufficient to decolorize more than 90% of the mixture of azo dyes. The E(1) strategy was less effective for aromatic content reduction. Conversely, the continuous addition of the reagents (E(2) and E(3) strategies) improved the aromatic content removal. E(3) strategy was substantially more appropriate than E(1) strategy due to improved the effluent quality in two key areas: toxicity and biodegradability.

Respirometry based optimal control of an aerobic bioreactor for the industrial waste water treatment

A methodology and mathematical simulation for the time optimal control of an activated sludge sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for toxic waste water degradation is presented. An optimal strategy for the input flow was obtained using techniques of optimal control theory, such that the reaction time is as small as possible. The degradation time was controlled through the substrate concentration estimated from the liquid oxygen concentration, which is much simpler to measure. The simulation of a toxic effluent containing phenol showed that the degradation time, obtained with the optimal strategy, was a half of that obtained when the reactor is stopped at the end of the reaction period, but filled without the optimal strategy.

Pharmaceutical wastewater treatment using an anaerobic/aerobic sequencing batch biofilter.

Abstract The performance of a sequencing batch biofilter integrating anaerobic/aerobic conditions in one tank to treat a pharmaceutical wastewater effluent was studied. A pilot reactor, packed with a porous volcanic stone (puzzolane) was used in the study. The reactor operated as a sequencing batch biofilter, SBB, with reaction times varying for the anaerobic stage from 8 to 24 h and for the aerobic one from 4 to 12 h. The volume of exchange was from 16 to 88%. The pharmaceutical wastewater contained organic chemicals including phenols and o-nitroaniline, a concentration of organic matter that varied from 28,400 to 72,200 mg/L (as total COD), 280 to 605 mg N-NH4/L, and 430 to 650 mg SST/L. In order to acclimatize the microorganisms to the industrial wastewater, the organic load was increased stepwise from 1 to 7.7 kg COD/m3/d. The adequate time was obtained when the removal efficiency of COD reached 80% or more. Maximal removal loads, associated to high removal efficiencies (95–97% as COD), varied from 4.6 to 5.7 kg COD/m3/d. Under these conditions color removal was 80% as Pt-Co units. Microtox analysis was performed to the wastewater and to the anaerobic and aerobic stages. It was observed that the aerobic stage was the responsible for wastewater detoxification. Results showed that the anaerobic/aerobic SBB was able to treat efficiently initial concentrations of the raw effluent up to 28,400 mg COD/L.