Publications (13)43.59 Total impact
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Article: PHA based denitrification: Municipal wastewater vs. acetate.
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ABSTRACT: Denitrification of municipal wastewater based on bacterial storage polymers-Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) - was investigated in biofilm sequencing batch reactors, as a part of a two sludge system for wastewater treatment and in comparison to acetate based synthetic wastewater. The results show that PHA based denitrification (PBD) of real wastewater can be a viable alternative, especially for wastewater with low COD/N ratio, without the need for external carbon source addition. High nitrate removal capacity of about 40-50mgN/L with a low COD/N requirement of about 4-5, were observed. It was found that entrapped particulate organic matter contributed additional reducing power, on top of the storage materials, thus allowing for the high nitrate reduction capacity. Daily removal rates were similar to those of extensive treatment systems (0.24-0.31grN/L reactor*d). Large differences in storage yield and composition between biomass grown on synthetic and municipal wastewater were observed.Bioresource technology 01/2013; 132C:28-37. · 4.25 Impact Factor -
Article: Characterization of denitrifying granular sludge with and without the addition of external carbon source.
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ABSTRACT: In this study granular sludge taken from a denitrifying upflow sludge reactor was characterized. Denitrification rates were determined in batch tests with and without external carbon source addition and pH microprofiles of the granules were studied. The microbial community structure was also determined. The results showed that denitrification without carbon source addition occurs; however, the process rate was lower than with external carbon source. This suggests that bacteria use dead biomass and extracellular material in the granular sludge as a carbon source when readily available substrate has been exhausted and nitrate is still present. Microprofiles showed a slight pH decrease for denitrification without external carbon source addition, and an increase in pH when using nitrite as the electron acceptor. Microprofiles using acetate as the carbon source for denitrification showed a significant increase in pH. Clone sequences obtained were close to the species Vitellibacter sp., Denitromonas indolicum str. and Denitromonas aromaticaus sp.Bioresource technology 08/2012; 124:413-20. · 4.25 Impact Factor -
Article: Encapsulation of Pseudomonas sp. ADP cells in electrospun microtubes for atrazine bioremediation.
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ABSTRACT: Electrospun hollow polymeric microfibers (microtubes) were evaluated as an encapsulation method for the atrazine degrading bacterium Pseudomonas sp. ADP. Pseudomonas sp. ADP cells were successfully incorporated in a formulation containing a core solution of polyethylene oxide dissolved in water and spun with an outer shell solution made of polycaprolactone and polyethylene glycol dissolved in a chloroform and dimethylformamide. The resulting microtubes, collected as mats, were partially collapsed with a ribbon-like structure. Following encapsulation, the atrazine degradation rate was low (0.03 ± 0.01 mg atrazine/h/g fiber) indicating that the electrospinning process negatively affected cell activity. Atrazine degradation was restored to 0.5 ± 0.1 mg atrazine/h/g fiber by subjecting the microtubes to a period of growth. After 3 and 7 days growth periods, encapsulated cells were able to remove 20.6 ± 3 and 47.6 ± 5.9 mg atrazine/g mat, respectively, in successive batches under non-growth conditions (with no additional electron donor) until atrazine was detected in the medium. The loss of atrazine degrading capacity was regained following an additional cell-growth period.Journal of Industrial Microbiology 07/2012; 39(11):1605-13. · 1.80 Impact Factor -
Article: An integrated UASB-sludge digester system for raw domestic wastewater treatment in temperate climates.
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ABSTRACT: To improve the performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating raw domestic wastewater under temperate climates conditions, the addition of a sludge digester to the process was investigated. With the decrease in temperature, the COD removal decreased from 78% at 28 °C to 42% at 10 °C for the UASB reactor operating alone at a hydraulic retention time of 6 h. The decrease was attributed to low hydrolytic activity at lower temperatures that reduced suspended matter degradation and resulted in solids accumulation in the top of the sludge blanket. Solids removed from the upper part of the UASB sludge were treated in an anaerobic digester. Based on sludge degradation kinetics at 30 °C, a digester of 0.66 l per liter of UASB reactor was design operating at a 3.20 days retention time. Methane produced by the sludge digester is sufficient to maintain the temperature at 30 °C.Bioresource technology 01/2011; 102(7):4921-4. · 4.25 Impact Factor -
Article: Anaerobic degradation pathway and kinetics of domestic wastewater at low temperatures.
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ABSTRACT: The effect of temperatures below 20 degrees C (20, 15 and 10 degrees C) on the anaerobic degradation pathway and kinetics of domestic wastewater fractionated at different sizes was studied in a fluidized-bed batch reactor. The overall degradation pathway was characterized by a soluble fraction degrading according to zero-order kinetics and a colloidal fraction (between 0.45 and 4.5 microm) that first disintegrates into a particulate fraction smaller than 0.45 microm before finally degrading. The colloidal degradation processes follow a first-order kinetic. In contrast, suspended solids (bigger than 4.5 microm) degrade to soluble and colloidal fractions according to first-order kinetics. The colloidal fraction originating from suspended solids further degrades into soluble fraction. These soluble fractions have the same degradation kinetics as the original soluble fraction. The suspended solids degradation was highly affected by temperature, whereas the soluble fraction slightly affected and the colloidal fraction was not affected at all. On the other hand, the colloidal non-degradable fraction increased significantly with the decrease in temperature while the suspended solids slowly increased. The soluble non-degradable fraction was little affected by temperatures changes.Bioresource technology 09/2009; 100(24):6155-62. · 4.25 Impact Factor -
Article: Nitrification in a biofilm at low pH values: role of in situ microenvironments and acid tolerance.
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ABSTRACT: The sensitivity of nitrifying bacteria to acidic conditions is a well-known phenomenon and generally attributed to the lack and/or toxicity of substrates (NH3 and HNO2) with decreasing pHs. In contrast, we observed strong nitrification at a pH around 4 in biofilms grown on chalk particles and investigated the following hypotheses: the presence of less acidic microenvironments and/or the existence of acid-tolerant nitrifiers. Microelectrode measurements (in situ and under various experimental conditions) showed no evidence of a neutral microenvironment, either within the highly active biofilm colonizing the chalk surface or within a control biofilm grown on a nonbuffering (i.e., sintered glass) surface under acidic pH. A 16S rRNA approach (clone libraries and fluorescence in situ hybridizations) did not reveal uncommon nitrifying (potentially acid-tolerant) strains. Instead, we found a strongly acidic microenvironment, evidence for a clear adaptation to the low pH in situ, and the presence of nitrifying populations related to subgroups with low Km s for ammonia (Nitrosopira spp., Nitrosomonas oligotropha, and Nitrospira spp.). Acid-consuming (chalk dissolution) and acid-producing (ammonia oxidation) processes are equilibrated on a low-pH steady state that is controlled by mass transfer limitation through the biofilm. Strong affinity to ammonia and possibly the expression of additional functions, e.g., ammonium transporters, are adaptations that allow nitrifiers to cope with acidic conditions in biofilms and other habitats.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 07/2006; 72(6):4283-92. · 3.83 Impact Factor -
Article: High Nitrification Rate at Low pH in a Fluidized Bed Reactor with either Chalk or Sintered Glass as the Biofilm Carrier
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ABSTRACT: A nitrification process using a fluidized bed reactor with chalk (solid calcium carbonate) as the biomass carrier and the only buffer agent was studied. The pH established in the reactor varied between 4.5 to 5.5, with lower pH obtained at higher nitrification rates. In spite of the low pH, high rate nitrification was observed with the nitrification kinetic parameters in the chalk reactor similar to those of biological reactors operating at pH > 7. Results from microsensor measurements refuted the possibility that favorable pH micro-conditions prevailed on the chalk particles and contributed to high reactor performance. In addition, identification of the major bacterial species in the low pH chalk reactors revealed well-known nitrifying bacteria. Based on these results, the performance of a fluidized bed reactor with porous sintered glass particles as the carrier for the biofilm (instead of chalk particles) was tested at similar low pH for comparison purposes. In contrast to the common knowledge of the nitrifers high sensitivity to low pH, the results from the non-chalk biofilm reactor showed that well-known nitrifying bacteria have the ability to nitrify at a high rate at low pH in a biofilm reactor using an inert (sintered glass) carrier.Israel Journal of Chemistry. 05/2006; 46(1):53 - 58. -
Article: High-rate nitrification at low pH in suspended- and attached-biomass reactors.
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ABSTRACT: This article reports on high-rate nitrification at low pH in biofilm and suspended-biomass reactors by known chemolithotrophic bacteria. In the biofilm reactor, at low pH (4.3 +/- 0.1) and low bulk ammonium concentrations (9.3 +/- 3.3 mg.liter(-1)), a very high nitrification rate of 5.6 g of N oxidized.liter(-1).day(-1) was achieved. The specific nitrification rate (0.55 g of N.g of biomass(-1).day(-1)) was similar to values reported for nitrifying reactors at optimal pH. In the suspended-biomass reactor, the average pH was significantly lower than that in the biofilm reactor (pH 3.8 +/- 0.3), and values as low as pH 3.2 were found. In addition, measurements in the suspended-biomass reactor, using isotope-labeled ammonium (15N), showed that in spite of the very low pH, biomass growth occurred with a yield of 0.1 g of biomass.g of N oxidized(-1). Fluorescence in situ hybridization using existing rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes showed that the nitrifying bacteria were from the monophyletic genus Nitrosomonas, suggesting that autotrophic nitrification at low pH is more widespread than previously thought. The results presented in this paper clearly show that autotrophic nitrifying bacteria have the ability to nitrify at a high rate at low pH and in the presence of only a negligible free ammonia concentration, suggesting the presence of an efficient ammonium uptake system and the means to cope with low pH.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 12/2004; 70(11):6481-7. · 3.83 Impact Factor -
Article: Simultaneous removal of atrazine and nitrate using a biological granulated activated carbon (BGAC) reactor
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ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to characterize the performance of granulated activated carbon (GAC) as a carrier for Pseudomonas ADP in a non-sterile continuous fluidized bed reactor for atrazine degradation under anoxic conditions. The GAC was compared with two non-adsorbing carriers: non-adsorbing carbon particles (‘Baker product’) having the same surface area available for biofilm growth as the GAC, and sintered glass beads. The initial atrazine degradation efficiency was higher than 90% in the reactors with the non-adsorbing carriers, but deteriorated to 20% with time due to contamination by foreign denitrifying bacteria. In contrast, no deterioration was observed in the biological granulated activated carbon (BGAC) reactor. A maximal atrazine volumetric and specific degradation rate of 0.820 ± 0.052 g atrazine dm−3 day−1 and 1.7 ± 0.4 g atrazine g−1 protein day−1 respectively were observed in the BGAC reactor. Concurrent atrazine biodegradation and desorption from the carrier was shown and an effluent concentration of 0.002 mg dm−3 (below the EPA standard) was achieved in the BGAC reactor. The advantages of the BGAC reactor over the non-adsorbing carrier reactors can probably be explained by the adsorption–desorption mechanism providing favorable microenvironmental conditions for atrazine–degrading bacteria. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical IndustryJournal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 05/2004; 79(6):626 - 631. · 2.17 Impact Factor -
Article: Patchy biofilm coverage can explain the potential advantage of BGAC reactors.
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ABSTRACT: An adsorbing biofilm carrier, like granular activated carbon (GAC), can be the source of an extra flux of pollutant to the biofilm in addition to the bulk liquid. This double flux can improve the performance of a biological GAC (BGAC) reactor as compared to a nonabsorbing carrier reactor but only under conditions of pollutant partial penetration in the biofilm. Pollutant partial penetration in a biofilm often occurs in treatment processes where very low effluent concentrations are required. However, under these conditions, adsorption in BGAC reactors is questionable and requires the existence of biofilm free areas on the GAC carrier. The purpose of this investigation is to prove that under normal BGAC fluidized bed reactor operational conditions patchy biofilm coverage with exposed areas of GAC develops. Adsorption and desorption through these exposed areas can explain the widely debated advantage of BGAC reactors regarding higher biofilm activity. The patchy-like nature of the biofilm coverage on the GAC particles was verified using experimental and modeling tools. Comparison between a nonadsorbing granular carbon carrier and a GAC carrier with an atrazine degrading biofilm (Pseudomonas ADP) under conditions of atrazine partial penetration in the biofilm showed higher biodegradation and lower effluent atrazine concentrations in the BGAC reactor.Environmental Science and Technology 10/2003; 37(18):4274-80. · 5.23 Impact Factor -
Article: The effect of CO2 concentration on a nitrifying chalk reactor.
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ABSTRACT: The effect of CO2 concentration on nitrification rate was studied in a fluidized bed reactor using chalk (solid calcium carbonate) as the biomass carrier and buffering agent. Using one chalk type and uniform particle size, carbon dioxide was found to limit the nitrification rate in the reactor at concentrations up to 0.3 mmol l(-1). At this concentration the nitrification rate was about 2.5-2.7g NH4+-Nl reactor(-1) d(-1). The pH established in the reactor varied between 4.5 and 5.5, remarkably with lower pH obtained remarked at higher nitrification rates. Kinetic parameters for nitrification rate with CO2 as the rate limiting substrate were determined: a Michaelis-Menten constant, Km, of 0.013 mmol l(-1) CO2 and a maximum ammonium oxidation rate of 2.33g NH4+-Nl reactor(-1) d(-1).Water Research 05/2002; 36(8):2147-51. · 4.86 Impact Factor -
Article: Ammonium removal using a novel unsaturated flow biological filter with passive aeration
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ABSTRACT: A novel vertical bed process for the removal of ammonium from secondary effluents, using a “passive air pump”, has been developed. The process is based on convective aeration caused by a fill and draw operational sequence, and combines the advantages of the vertical wetlands concept with the high loading rates typically associated with trickling filters. Experiments were carried out in a 500-l reactor using simulative effluents and actual municipal secondary effluents. A maximal ammonium removal rate of 1100 g N/m2 reactor/d was achieved using simulative effluents and an effective gravel size of 0.96 mm. At all hydraulic loads applied, the nitrification rate was found to be limited by the oxygen transfer rate. The small-size medium used with simulative effluents clogged when using actual municipal secondary effluents. Two other media (2.46 mm and 4.31 mm) did not clog during the entire experimental period and a maximum removal load of 300 g N/m2 reactor/d was achieved. This value is still much higher than typical rates reported for conventional vertical beds.Water Research 03/2001; · 4.86 Impact Factor -
Article: Minimizing land requirement and evaporation in small wastewater treatment systems
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ABSTRACT: Water supplies in the Middle East arid climate are a scarce commodity making treated wastewater an economically attractive source for increasing the limited existing water resources for agricultural purposes. In order to minimize water losses with the corresponding increased salinity and to reduce land demand, an integrated system based mainly on high-rate semi-intensive treatment units is being tested and demonstrated. The units include an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and vertical and horizontal flow wetlands. The units are characterized by simple and low-cost maintenance with minimal energy input. Three years of pilot plant results from the combined system are presented in this paper. The results show a high organic removal rate for the combined system: 140 g COD/m2/day for the scheme, which included a UASB reactor followed by two PAVB units and subsurface horizontal flow CW. Even higher rates of 900 g COD/m2/day were achieved for the same scheme by replacing the final CWL with another PAVB unit. These high rates allow for a small treatment plant footprint equivalent to 0.13–0.9 m2 per person, assuming 125 g COD per person per day.Ecological Engineering.
Top co-authors
Top Journals
Institutions
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2012
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Ariel University
Jerusalem, Jerusalem District, Israel
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2002–2012
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Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Haifa, Haifa District, Israel
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2009–2011
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Agricultural Research Organization ARO
Bet Dagan, Central District, Israel
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