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Removal of High Phenol Concentrations with Adapted Activated Sludge in Suspended Form and Entrapped in Calcium Alginate/Cross‐Linked Poly( N ‐vinyl pyrrolidone) Hydrogels
Author(s) -
HernándezEsparza Margarita,
DoriaSerrano M. Carmen,
AceroSalinas Gabriela,
RuizTreviño F. Alberto
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp050347b
Subject(s) - phenol , calcium alginate , chemistry , kinetics , self healing hydrogels , hydraulic retention time , activated sludge , nuclear chemistry , continuous reactor , calcium , chromatography , chemical engineering , wastewater , organic chemistry , catalysis , environmental engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
The present work evaluates the aerobic removal of 0.25–2 g/L of phenol by adapted activated sludge in batch and continuous reactors, in suspended form and trapped in polymeric hydrogel beads of calcium alginate(1%) and cross‐linked poly( N ‐vinyl pyrrolidone), x ‐PVP (4%). The mechanical and chemical resistance of the entrapping hydrogel was also evaluated in three different media: (I) rich in phosphate and ammonium ions; (II) using alternate P and N sources, and (III) without nutrients. The adapted consortium removed phenol concentrations up to 2 g/L more efficiently in the immobilized systems. A decrease in phenol removal rate was observed as the food/microorganisms ( F / M ) ratio increased. A zero‐order kinetics was observed with phenol concentrations > 1 g/L and a first‐order kinetics at concentrations < 1 g/L. The best response (100% removal) was in the continuous reactors using type II medium, with a hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 12.5 h, an influent pH = 5, and an F / M ratio below 0.25. The immobilizing matrix deteriorated after 170 h of use in continuous reactors, especially with media I and II, probably due to the attrition forces, to chemical weakness of the material, and to the pressure of the bacterial growth inside the bead.