Development and implementation of microbial sensors for efficient process control in wastewater treatment plants

This paper demonstrates the functionality, laboratory testing and field application of a microbial sensor, which can be modified to monitor organic pollution extent, toxicity and over-(under)load of wastewaters both under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Since nitrification is related to protons formation and the addition of alkaline is necessary for pH control, an aerobic biosensor monitoring Na2CO3 consumption was developed and practically implemented to control the nitrification process. As CO2 is the respiration product from aerobic degradation which can be correlated to the organic pollution extent, the previous biosensor was modified to monitor and measure the online toxicity and BOD/COD. Under anaerobic conditions, the online measurement of NaOH consumption and biogas production allowed the detection of toxicity incidents and over-(under)load in the influent. Such toximeters get in contact with the wastewater the earliest possible, providing sufficient time for protection of sensitive biological wastewater treatment processes and for the implementation of control and management strategies.

[1]  Michael S. C. Thomas,et al.  Theoretical Background , 2018, Methods and Data Analysis for Cross-Cultural Research.

[2]  W. Verstraete,et al.  Biological early warning systems for toxicity based on activated sludge respirometry. , 1993 .

[3]  A. Aivasidis,et al.  Use of a microbial sensor: a new approach to the measurement of inhibitory effects on the microbial activity of activated sludge , 2002, Bioprocess and biosystems engineering.

[4]  M. C. Tomei,et al.  Monitoring toxicity in anaerobic digesters by the rantox biosensor: theoretical background. , 1997, Biotechnology and bioengineering.

[5]  U. Bilitewski,et al.  Development of an automated microbial sensor system. , 1999, Biosensors & bioelectronics.

[6]  Hideaki Nakamura,et al.  Current research activity in biosensors , 2003, Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry.

[7]  I Karube,et al.  Microbial biosensors. , 1991, Bioprocess technology.

[8]  A. Aivasidis,et al.  Biosensor for Toxic Detection and Process Control in Nitrification Plants , 2005 .

[9]  Krist V. Gernaey,et al.  Nitrification monitoring in activated sludge by oxygen uptake rate (OUR) measurements. , 1996 .

[10]  W. Verstraete,et al.  On-line nitrification monitoring in activated sludge with a titrimetric sensor. , 1997 .

[11]  G. S. Wilson,et al.  Electrochemical Biosensors: Recommended Definitions and Classification , 1999, Biosensors & bioelectronics.

[12]  Ashok Mulchandani,et al.  Microbial biosensor for direct determination of nitrophenyl-substituted organophosphate nerve agents using genetically engineered Moraxella sp. , 2006, Analytica chimica acta.

[13]  A. Guwy,et al.  Active Biomass in Activated Sludge:Comparison of Respirometry with Catalase Activity Measured Using an On-line.Monitor. , 1998 .

[14]  E Kampragou,et al.  On-line load monitoring of wastewaters with a respirographic microbial sensor. , 2005, Biosensors & bioelectronics.

[15]  W. Verstraete,et al.  Sensors to monitor biological nitrogen removal and activated sludge settling , 1998 .

[16]  B Mattiasson,et al.  Immobilised activated sludge based biosensor for biochemical oxygen demand measurement. , 2000, Biosensors & bioelectronics.

[17]  Shikha Rastogi,et al.  Development and characterization of a novel immobilized microbial membrane for rapid determination of biochemical oxygen demand load in industrial waste-waters. , 2003, Biosensors & bioelectronics.