Treatment of corn alcohol wastewater by anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed reactor and analysis of prokaryotic microbial community

ABSTRACT

In this study, the anaerobic treatment and microbial characteristics of high-concentration corn alcohol wastewater were studied by using a self-designed anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor at different conditions which is 30°C, 35°C and ambiance temperature. The anaerobic reactor was started and operated for 215 days. At a temperature of 35°C and an organic loading rateof 14.8 kg/(m³·day), the chemical oxygen demand removal rate reached 95.8%, the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 1.4 days, the volumetric gas production rate reached 10.72 (m³/m³·day), and the average methane volume fraction reached 60.39%. After the experiment was completed, sludge granulation can be achieved in the anaerobic reactor, and the particle size reaches 2 mm to 4 mm. For the microbial community in the anaerobic reactor, Methanosaeta was the major archaea in the reactor granular sludge. EGSB is a highly efficient anaerobic reactor suitable for treating high-concentration corn alcohol wastewater.

KEYWORDS:

• Anaerobic expanded granular sludge reactor
• anaerobic digestion
• corn alcohol wastewater
• microbial community

HIGHLIGHTS

1. High-concentration corn alcohol wastewater was treated by using EGSB reactor process, and the reactor was continuously stable under low pH values and high OLR.

2. During the operation of the reactor, we have three groups that have different operating temperature were designed, it is 30°C, 35°C and ambient temperatures.

3. Sludge granulation was analyzed for granular sludge size and isolated methanogenic bacteria after completion of the experiment.

Acknowledgments

First of all, I would like to thank my supervisor, YIN Fang, for giving me an opportunity on this experiment and for all the help and constructive comments and suggestions during this work. I also thank all the Chinese friends who guided me a lot in the laboratory work and helped me with all the problems that occurred during the experimental procedures.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China, contribution number 51366015. It was also supported by Youth Project of Yunnan Applied Basic Research Program (2018FD018).

Notes on contributors

Zhanyao Zheng

Zhanyao Zheng School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.

Junlin Ji

Junlin Ji School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.

Yang Hong

Hong Yang School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.

Yin Fang

Fang Yin School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.

Zhang Wudi

Wudi Zhang School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.

Zhao Xingling

Xingling Zhao School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.

Wang Changmei

Changmei Wang, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.

Wu Kai

Kai Wu School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.

Liu Jing

Jing Liu School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, P.R. China.