African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of recirculation rate on the performance of a combined anaerobic-aerobic reactor applied to the removal of carbon and nitrogen from poultry slaughterhouse wastewater

Carla L. Lopes
  • Carla L. Lopes
  • Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, State University of West Paraná (UNIOESTE), 2069 Universitária Street, 85819-210 Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
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Adriana N. de Lima Model
  • Adriana N. de Lima Model
  • Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, State University of West Paraná (UNIOESTE), 2069 Universitária Street, 85819-210 Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Jackeline T. Gotardo
  • Jackeline T. Gotardo
  • Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, State University of West Paraná (UNIOESTE), 2069 Universitária Street, 85819-210 Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
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Fernando H. Passig
  • Fernando H. Passig
  • Academic Department of Chemistry and Biology, Federal Technological University of Paraná – UTFPR, Deputado Heitor Alencar Furtado Street, 4900, Ecoville, 81280-340 - Curitiba, PR – Brazil.
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Eloy L. de Mello
  • Eloy L. de Mello
  • Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, State University of West Paraná (UNIOESTE), 2069 Universitária Street, 85819-210 Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
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Benedito M. Gomes
  • Benedito M. Gomes
  • Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, State University of West Paraná (UNIOESTE), 2069 Universitária Street, 85819-210 Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
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Simone D. Gomes
  • Simone D. Gomes
  • Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, State University of West Paraná (UNIOESTE), 2069 Universitária Street, 85819-210 Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 20 July 2016
  •  Accepted: 31 August 2016
  •  Published: 14 September 2016

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate a combined anaerobic-aerobic upflow fixed-bed reactor with liquid phase recirculation for the removal of nitrogen and organic matter from poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. The reactor performance was evaluated with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 11 h and three different recirculation rates (R=0.5; 1 and 2). The highest nitrogen removal efficiency value was obtained with an HRT of 11 h (6.8 h in the anaerobic zone and 4.2 h in the aerobic zone) and a recirculation rate of 2. In this condition, the total nitrogen removal efficiency was 69%, with effluent concentrations of 6 mg NH4+ L-1 and 12 mg NO3- L-1. For all tested conditions, there was good chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, with efficiency above 95%. The effect of dilution and the favoring of mass transfer caused by the increase in the recirculation rate positively influenced reactor performance.

Key words: Anaerobic degradation, nitrification, denitrification, combined reactor.