Anaerobic bioconversion of petrochemical wastewater to biomethane in a semi-continuous bioreactor: Biodegradability, mineralization behaviors and methane productivity. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tan, Yujie; Zheng, Chaoting; Cai, Teng; Niu, Chengxin; Wang, Shasha; Pan, Yang; Lu, Xueqin; Zhen, Guangyin; Qian, Guangren; Zhao, Youcai
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 304(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Petrochemical wastewaters -- Anaerobic bioconversion -- Model fitting -- Dewatering; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Metabolic behaviour depended upon the characteristics of petrochemical wastewaters. The highest methane yield of 305.9 ± 2.7 mL/g-COD was achieved by PTA wastewater. Modified Gompertz model was used to simulate biodegradation kinetics. Toxic substances led to the cells lysis and inhibited methane production. Wastewaters with high biodegradability were more suitable for anaerobic treatment. Abstract: Petrochemical wastewaters treatment represents a serious challenge due to the high toxicity and complex chemical components. In this study, the biodegradability, mineralization behaviors and methane productivity of eight different types of petrochemical wastewaters were evaluated in series of semi-continuous bioreactors. Methane production strongly depended on the characteristics of wastewaters and chemical constituents. The highest methane yield of 305.9 ± 2.7 mL/g-COD was achieved by purified terephthalic acid wastewater, followed by ethylene glycol, polyester, etc. Comparatively, one-step-SCN − wastewater produced the lowest methane yield (4.7 ± 0.7 mL/g-COD) owing to high toxicity and low biodegradability. Modified Gompertz model confirmed that purified terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol and polyester wastewaters had a short lag-phase of 1.2, 1.7 and 0.2 days, respectively. Nonetheless, the formation of by-products such as proteins, polysaccharides and ammonia nitrogen throughout anaerobic digestion reflected the high activity of anaerobic microorganisms, confirming the technical feasibility of anaerobic biotechnology in treating petrochemical wastewaters.