LABORATORY STUDIES ON THE ANAEROBIC BIOSORPTION PROCESS

Biological solids have significant potential for sorption of soluble organic matter from wastewater streams. The anaerobic biosorption process uses the sorption capabilities of active biomass for the treatment of wastewater. Biosorption is a rapid process. Approximately 40% removal of organic matter was obtained in only 15 minutes after the substrate was brought into contact with the biomass. Anaerobic biomass was grown in 10-L source reactor; operated at a constant temperature of 35 degrees C. Biosorption experiments were performed with active biomass in 2-L batch reactors using synthetic milk as a substrate. The effects of mixing times, temperature, substrate concentration, biomass concentration, and granular biomass particle size were investigated. Temperature studies indicated increased uptake at higher temperature than at lower temperature. It was observed that wastes at temperatures as low as 7 degrees C could be biosorbed without the application of external heat. Higher removals were obtained with the small granular biomass than with the large granules. Increasing the biomass concentration resulted in an increase in the percentage removal of organic matter. The results were expressed in terms of adsorption isotherms.