The Effect of Nickel on Thermophilic Bacteria for Wastewater Treatment Doanh Van, PhD., PE., CEM Associate Professor & Chair EngineeringAssociate Professor & Chair Engineering Elsie Y. Smith Associate Professor of BiologyAssociate Professor of Biology Midsouth Annual Engineering & Science Conference (May 11, 2005) Christian Brothers University

The Wastewater of Interest Sewage (sea ward) Sewage (sea ward) Any water that’s not useful. Any water that’s not useful. Residences and businesses.Residences and businesses. Process water discharged from manufacturing plants.Process water discharged from manufacturing plants.

Typical Analysis of Domestic Wastewater Solids720 mg/L Solids720 mg/L BOD mg/L BOD mg/L COD500 mg/L COD500 mg/L TOC160 mg/L TOC160 mg/L N 40 mg/L N 40 mg/L P 8 mg/L P 8 mg/L Chlorides 50 mg/L Chlorides 50 mg/L Sulfates 30 mg/L Sulfates 30 mg/L Alkalinity 100 mg/L Alkalinity 100 mg/L Grease 100 mg/L Grease 100 mg/L Total coliform million/100 mL Total coliform million/100 mL VOC250 ppb VOC250 ppb

Typical Analysis of Industrial Wastewater COD 5, ,200 mg/L 5, ,200 mg/L BOD 5 3, ,625 mg/L TSS mg/L pH

Another Analysis of Industrial Wastewater pH mg/L TSS 5, ,250 mg/L BOD 5 8, ,800 mg/L 8, ,800 mg/LCOD

Wastewater Treatment The removal of organic matters, solids, nutrients, disease-causing organisms and other pollutants from wastewater before readmitting it to the receiving water body or discharging it to the POTWs. The removal of organic matters, solids, nutrients, disease-causing organisms and other pollutants from wastewater before readmitting it to the receiving water body or discharging it to the POTWs.

The Governing Law CWA or Clean Water Act (1987) aka FWPCA (1972) CWA or Clean Water Act (1987) aka FWPCA (1972) Goal: to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s watersGoal: to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters Objectives: provide for propagation and protection of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation. Also to eliminate the discharge of pollutants (zero discharge)Objectives: provide for propagation and protection of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation. Also to eliminate the discharge of pollutants (zero discharge)

The Science of Wastewater Treatment CHONS + O >> CO 2 + H 2 O + NH 3 + Others bacteria organic pollutants Gravity causes separation of solid phase from liquid

The Use of Bacteria Psychrophilic (~13°C ) Psychrophilic (~13°C ) Mesophilic (~32°C ) Mesophilic (~32°C ) Thermophilic (higher range of T) Thermophilic (higher range of T) High strength (BOD 5, COD) wastewaterHigh strength (BOD 5, COD) wastewater Explosive laden wastewaterExplosive laden wastewater Rapid biodegradationRapid biodegradation Low growth yieldsLow growth yields Self-sustained processSelf-sustained process

About Thermophiles Bacteria with special enzymes (extremozymes) Bacteria with special enzymes (extremozymes) String of amino acids fold themselves very tightly.String of amino acids fold themselves very tightly. Have less amino acid glycine in the structure.Have less amino acid glycine in the structure. Have chaperonin protein for bio maintenanceHave chaperonin protein for bio maintenance 110° C bacterial growth has been reported 110° C bacterial growth has been reported 250° C also reported-- questionable. (Atlas & Mosby). 250° C also reported-- questionable. (Atlas & Mosby).

Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Secondary Treatment aka Biological Treatment Activated Sludge processActivated Sludge process Trickling Filter processTrickling Filter process Sequential Batch Reactor processSequential Batch Reactor process

The Challenges in Treating Certain Industrial Wastewater Stream: High strength High strength Potentially toxic organics Potentially toxic organics DissolvedDissolved SuspendedSuspended

One Highly Effective Process Equalization Tank High Strength Waste Stream Thermophilic Biological Reactor Ultrafiltration Eff Chemical Sludge Treatment Recycle Sludge

A Pilot Scale Was Conducted 1000-gallon SS reactor. Agitated. Insulated. Recirculation loop also included a 0.02-micron ultrafiltration at 132 m 3 /d.

The Results

Total Heavy Metals110 mg/L Nickel93.5 Cadmium<0.01 Chromium1.8 Lead0.4 Zinc13 Mercury0.002 Silver<0.01 Copper0.43 Arsenic0.002

Lessons Learned Thermophilic bacteria for wastewater treatment technology is innovative. Thermophilic bacteria for wastewater treatment technology is innovative. Highly effective for organic wastestream. Highly effective for organic wastestream. Some inorganic contents in the feed stream are very undesirable. Some inorganic contents in the feed stream are very undesirable. Nickel is fatal to thermophilic bacteria. Nickel is fatal to thermophilic bacteria. It can alter cell’s membrane properties and influences oxidation/reduction systems.It can alter cell’s membrane properties and influences oxidation/reduction systems. It failed the process.It failed the process.

References “Microorganisms in Our World”, Ronald M. Atlas, Mosby, 1995, pp “Microorganisms in Our World”, Ronald M. Atlas, Mosby, 1995, pp %20wastewater%20treatment‘ %20wastewater%20treatment‘ %20wastewater%20treatment %20wastewater%20treatment