Long-term operation of slurry bioreactor for decomposition of food wastes.
A pilot scale slurry bioreactor was used for the treatment of food wastes. Food wastes were continuously added (750 g wet weight per day) into the reactor and successfully decomposed to inorganic carbon without intermittent removal of suspended solids. During operation for 90 days, 91% reduction of food wastes was achieved. Microorganisms actively grew during the initial 20 days of operation, and reached a stationary phase with a cell concentration of around 5 x 10(10) cells ml(-1), which indicated that food waste was utilized as a respiratory substrate during this phase. Using data for time variation of dissolved oxygen, the oxygen requirement for decomposition of food wastes was estimated to be 5.0 g O2 g(-1) dry weight of food wastes.
Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Environmental Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Hyoja-dong, Republic of Korea.
Jong Ik
JI
Park
Yeoung-Sang
YS
Yun
Jong Moon
JM
Park
D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic / Q000378:metabolism; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005285:Fermentation; D005502:Food; D005735:Garbage; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*
D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010100:Oxygen