Short Communication (NS-3) SULFIDE OXIDATION IN FLUIDIZED BED BIOFILM REACTOR USING POLYMERIC MATERIAL AS SUPPORT PARTICLES

Biological sulfide oxidation of synthetic wastewater in fluidized bed bioreactor is studied using heterogeneous population of micro-organisms obtained from tannery effluent treatment plant. The FBBR used in this study is fabricated with glass having total volume of 0.6l (length of 0.38m and diameter of 0.045m). A separate 2l bottle is used as aeration tank to avoid the turbulence in the fluidized bed bioreactor. Nylon particles are used as carrier material. The diameter and density of the particles is 2-3mm and 1104kg/m3, respectively. Experiments are conducted in the bioreactor at a fixed bed height using sulfide concentrations of 100mg/l, after the formation of biofilm on the surface of carrier material. The hydraulic retention time of the reactor is 0.9hr. Microscopy techniques are used to study the development and formation of biofilm. Biofilm thickness reached 43μm after fifteen days from start-up of the reactor. From the results it is observed that almost 90-92% sulfide removal is obtained at hydraulic retention time of 0.9hr. Sulfur is the main end product of bacterial sulfide oxidation.