Effects of reactor configuration on the performance of static-bed submerged media anaerobic ...

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Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
Dissertations
1988
Effects of reactor configuration on the performance
of static-bed submerged media anaerobic reactors
Chow-Feng Chiang
Iowa State University
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Recommended Citation
Chiang, Chow-Feng, "Effects of reactor configuration on the performance of static-bed submerged media anaerobic reactors " (1988).
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 9328.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/9328
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Order Number 8825S78
Effects of reactor configuration on the performance of static-bed
submerged media anaerobic reactors
Chiang, Chow-Feng, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1988
Copyright ©1088 by Chiang, Chow-Feng. All rights reserved.
U M I
300N.ZeebRd.
Ann Ait)or, MI 48106

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Effects of reactor configuration on the performance
of static-bed submerged media anaerobic reactors
by
Chow-Feng Chiang
A Dissertation Submitted to the
Graduate Faculty in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Department: Civil and Construction Engineering
Major: Sanitary Engineering
Approved:
Signature was redacted for privacy.
(pJC^rSe of^jorifor#
Signature was redacted for privacy.
For the Major DepartmAt
Signature was redacted for privacy.
For the Graduate College
Iowa State University
Am#s, Iowa
1988
Copyright ® Chow-Feng Chiang, 1988. All rights reserved.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
DEDICATION ^ii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiii
INTRODUCTION 1
Characteristics of Static-Bed SMAR 1
Need for Research 7
Purposes and Objectives 14
LITERATURE REVIEW 16
Fundamentals of Anaerobic Digestion 16
Fermentative Hydrolysis 18
Wood Scheme of Pyruvate Fermentation 21
Characteristics of Syntrophic Bacteria 24
Nutrition of Methanogens 28
Energy and Carbon Sources 28
Nitrogen and Sulfur Sources 31
Taxonomy of Methanogens 33
Continuous Culture Theory 36
Electron and Carbon Transport in Methanogens 36
Energetics and Bacterial Growth ..... 41
Kinetics and Growth Rate
System Controls and Monitoring 50
Solids Retention Time 50
pH, Alkalinity, and Volatile Acids 52
Static-Bed SMAR Process . 56
Applications . 56
Packing media 63
SMAR Mathematical Simulation 67
Substrate Transfer And Utilization 67
Solids Transport and Granulation 79
Static-Bed SMAR Models 82
Evaluation of Full-Scale SMARs 85
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY 90
Equipment and Substrate 90
Pilot-Scale SMARs 90
Substrate
SMAR Operating Procedures 102
Tracer Study 102
Start-up and Acclimation i04
Routine Maintenance and Daily Monitoring 105
Loading Schedule 105
Steady-State Sampling 107
Analytical Methods 108
Gas Production and Analysis 110
Solids and Activity 112
ill
pH, Alkalinity, and Total Volatile Acids ........... 115
Chemical Oxygen Demand 117
Individual and Total Organic Acids 120
Nitrogen and Phosphate 122
Metals (Li, Co, Ni, Ca, Mn, Zn) 123
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 125
Design and Operation
Design of the SMAR System 125
Operation of the SMAR system 126
Analytical Methods 129
AMA Test
TC method for COD Analysis
Tracer Studies 139
Clean-Bed Studies 144
Dirty-Bed Studies 146
Start-up and Acclimation
First Seeding
Second Seeding 153
Pseudo Steady-State Performamce 155
Treatment Performance 159
Distribution of pH 168
Distribution of SCOD and Volatile Acids 172
Distribution of Solids and Activity
Effects of Gas Recycle 183
Unsteady-State Response 197
Response to Loading Change 198
Response to Incidental Air Exposure 199
Response to Temperature Change 199
Response to Restarting after Long-Term Recession 200
Response to Starving 200
SMAR Sizing and Operation 202
SMAR Sizing Procedures . 202
Operation with Gas Recycle 205
SUMMARY OF RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 207
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH 214
BIBLIOGRAPHY 217
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 231
APPENDIX A. TAXONOMY OF METHANOGENS BASED ON BALCH'S SCHEME
(1979) RECENT ISOLATES ARE LISTED WITH APPROPRIATE REFERENCES ... 232
APPENDIX B. GROWTH YIELD AND KINETIC DATA OF SOME SELECTED
FERMENTATIVE AND METHANOGENIC BACTERIA FOR BOTH PURE AND MIXED
CULTURES 240