Exploitation of olive oil mill wastewater for combined biohydrogen and biopolymers production
Abstract
The present study aimed to the investigation of the feasibility of the combined biohydrogen and biopolymers production from OMW (Olive oil Mill Wastewater), using a two stage system. H(2) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were produced via anaerobic fermentation and subsequently the acidified wastewater was used as substrate for aerobic biodegradable polymer production. Two different bioreactors, one of CSTR type and a SBR were used for the anaerobic and the aerobic process respectively. The anaerobic reactor was operated at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) with OMW, diluted 1:4 (v/v) with tap water, as feed. The main VFAs produced were acetate, butyrate and propionate, in different ratios depending on the HRT. Valerate, isovalerate and isobutyrate were also detected in small quantities. Selective effluents of the acidogenic/hydrogen producing reactor were subsequently used as feed for the aerobic reactor. The aerobic reactor was inoculated with an enriched PHAs producing bacteria culture, and was operated in sequential cycles of nitrogen offer (growth phase) and nitrogen limitation (PHAs accumulation phase). The operational program of the SBR was determined according to the results from batch test, and its performance ...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Biofilms
Biofilms are adherent bacterial communities embedded in a polymer matrix and can cause persistent human infections that are highly resistant to antibiotics. Discover the latest research on Biofilms here.
Biofilm & Infectious Disease
Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor for a wide range of microorganisms that cause chronic infections.Here is the latest research on biofilm and infectious diseases.