Performance Evaluation of a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor and Its Microbial Diversity for Wastewater Treatment of a Desiccated Coconut Manufacturing Plant

Dexter John B. Taguding

Master in Engineering – Chemical Engineering, Professional Schools

University of Mindanao, Matina, Davao City, Philippines

Abstract

Desiccated coconut (DC) wastewater contains a high load of organic compound, which needs a series of unit operations. Most DC plants use anaerobic and aerobic biological treatments to remove organic compounds. This produces methane gas, a greenhouse gas (GHG), during anaerobic digestion, and a larger aeration tank to house more aerobic bacteria. The application of biofilm-carrying bacteria was studied to address these concerns. Moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) worked efficiently as the general biological treatment, even eliminating the anaerobic treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of MBBR. Specifically, it aimed to determine the profile of wastewater, the microbial diversity of MBBR, and the optimized operation of MBBR using the central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The wastewater profile showed high biological oxygen demand (BOD), oil and grease, total suspended solids (TSS), and low pH. 1.7 x 106 CFU/mL of heterotrophic bacteria was found in the MBBR tank with identified Aeromonas veronii using BLASTn. The bacteria produced enzymes crucial in breaking down complex organic compounds, thus employing a bioremediation process. The maximum removal of 98.67% was noted on a neutral pH of 7.5 and 160 minutes HRT, indicating an optimal condition, thus a potential technology in treating wastewater of DC plants.

Keywords

MBBR, BOD, bioremediation, response surface methodology, microbial diversity.

How to cite?

Taguding, D.B. (2024). Performance Evaluation of a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor and Its Microbial Diversity for Wastewater Treatment of a Desiccated Coconut Manufacturing Plant. J. Emerging Technol. Innovations, 1(1), 1-10. doi.org/10.55990/umjeti.v12024.01