Objective
The overall aim of the proposed research programme is to develop and optimise sequenced anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic biotechnological systems for the remediation of wastewaters from the chemical/pharmaceutical sector. Recent basic research on the aerobic, anaerobic and anoxic degradative capabilities of different bacterial trophic groups has indicated that many complex natural and xenobiotic pharmaceuticals, pesticides, insecticides, textile dyes etc. cannot be mineralised solely by one trophic group. Because of the complex electron withdrawing and electron donating properties of the stituent groups of these aromatic compounds, biodegradation can only be achieved by cycling through anaerobic, aerobic and possibly anoxic treatment stages. In particular, the initial degradative attack on many of these compounds can only be carried out by anaerobic species.
In focussing on a primary anaerobic stage for the proposed aer/anhybrid reactor, it is intended, not only to achieve mineralisation of aerobically persistent aromatics, but also to develop a treatment technology which will
(i) minimise fossil fuel consumption ;
(ii) reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with aerobic treatment processes ;
(iii) generate a usable biogas fuel ( > 60% methane) and
(iv) reduce the quantity of waste process biomass requiring safe and costly disposal.
It is anticipated that the research data obtained will also be of relevance to in situ bioremediation of environmental sites contaminated either by accidental spillages, incorrect disposal, or via use of pesticides, insecticides, pharmaceutical products, textile dyes etc.
The project will focus initially on the design, development and optimisation of the proposed novel aer/anhybrid reactor using synthetic wastewaters of known and selected composition. sequently, the operational characteristics of the reactor will be evaluated using wastewaters from the chemical and pharmaceutical sector. Any requirement for adjustment of the CNP ratio or for nutrient or trace metal supplementation will be investigated for the individual wastewaters. The optimal organic loading rates, hydraulic retention times, upflow velocities, aeration rates etc. will be determined. In addition, the ability of the reactor design to tolerate the frequent changes of wastewater composition, strength and volume characteristic of pharmaceutical batch production processes will be assessed. Particular attention will be paid to physical, chemical and microbiological characterisation of the anaerobic sludge and aerobic biofilm developed within the reactor. The enrichment, isolation and characterisation of competent degradative populations will also be attempted for key target compounds and groups of compounds, with a view both towards gaining further insight on the complex microbiology and biochemistry of recalcitrant compound degradation and facilitating the provision of appropriate seed inocula for wastewater treatment and in situ bioremediation applications.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
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Coordinator
Galway
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.