Sunday, July 29, 2007
P63

Integrated Process for Microbial Formation of Poly( -hydroxyalkanoates) from activated Sludges with enhancement of wastewater treatment

Peter H. Yu, Wai Lam, and Pui-ling Chan. Dept. of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

Four poly(b-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) producing stains TPA1, FWS1_1, PS_2 and MS_4 were isolated from domestic waste, food waste, piggery waste and mixed sludge (2 types of Food wastes), respectively.  Their capabilities for pollutant removal (biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, kjeldahl nitrogen & suspended solids) were monitored.  All the strains can accumulate PHB, PHV and PHDD.  The variables of influent COD concentration applied in Sequencing batch reactor affecting PHAs accumulation was investigated.  Maximum of 30mg/g of different PHAs were produced by the strains and about 90% pollutant removal efficiency were achieved by strains in using a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) under COD influx concentration ranged from 1,000ppm to 4,000ppm within 1 day.  There are significant PHA accumulation stimulation occurred when influence COD of 5,500 and 7,500ppm was applied.  At optimum conditions, the maximum efficiency of PHAs production was found to be more than 200 mg/g PHB (900% increment) and more than 80 mg/g PHV (130% increment) from strain MS_4.  In average, more than 50mg/g PHB and 20 mg/g PHV can be accumulated by strains TPA1, FWS1_1 and PS_2, if COD influx level was higher than 5,500ppm.  The aeration time for pollutant removal extended from 1 day to 3 days for achieving more than 90% removal efficiency at the high influx COD level.  Strain TPA1 and MS_4 are identified as Bacillus pumilus and Aeromonas ichthiosmia A, respectively.