Study of PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) production from activated sludge

D. HE, B. B. ZHANG, Yiu Fai TSANG, H. CHUA

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapters

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Sludge deposition is of high concern for managers of wastewater treatment plants due to limited landfill space and increases in deposition fees. Reduction of the amount of sludge can benefit a plant’s operational cost. In activated sludge, numerous bacteria synthesise and accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). PHAs can be completely biodegraded to water and carbon dioxide, and have similar properties to conventional plastic. So, PHAs have been recognized as good candidates for plastics. Thus, production of PHAs can reduce sludge amount and also have environmentally-friendly effects. However, their high price compared with conventional plastics has limited their use in a wide range of applications. In this study, we optimized conditions to produce PHAs. Activated sludge bacteria from a conventional wastewater treatment process were induced to accumulate PHAs under different carbon-nitrogen (C:N) ratios. Both the highest net cell growth and polymer production yield were achieved under a C:N ratio of 96. Moreover, carbon source is another important factor in synthesis. The composition of the polymer accumulated was dependent on the valeric acid (C₅) content in the feed. Copyright © 2008 WIT Press.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWaste management and the environment IV
EditorsM. ZAMORANO, C. A. BREBBIA, A. KUNGOLOS, V. POPOV, H. ITOH
Place of PublicationSouthampton, Boston
PublisherWIT Press
Pages837-844
ISBN (Print)978184564113, 1845641132
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Citation

He, D., Zhang, B. B., Tsang, Y. F., & Chua, H. (2008). Study of PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) production from activated sludge. In M. Zamorano, C. A. Brebbia, A. Kungolos, V. Popov, & H. Itoh (Eds.), Waste management and the environment IV (pp. 837-844). Southampton, Boston: WIT Press.

Keywords

  • Activated sludge
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)
  • Carbon-nitrogen ratios
  • Carbon source

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