Method of treating municipal wastewater and producing biomass with biopolymer production potential

摘要

A method of biologically treating wastewater and removing contaminants from the wastewater is described. In the treatment of waste water, biomass is produced. In addition to removing contaminants from waste water, the process or method of the present invention involves enhancing the possibility of biomass PHA accumulation. A number of processes have been described that are used in biological wastewater treatment systems to improve the potential for PHA accumulation. For example, the potential for enhanced PHA accumulation can be achieved by exposing biomass to abundant and asa conditions, exposing biomass to asa conditions, and then 5 mg with an average peak specific RBCOD feed rate greater than 0.5 mg-COD / g-VSS / min. Average peak stimulation above -COD / L / min is realized by applying the RBCOD feed rate to expose the biomass to abundant conditions for a selected period of time to stimulate the biomass to a period of abundant conditions. In another example, biomass PHA accumulation potential is enhanced by applying biomass to abundant conditions such that biomass reaches a peak respiration rate that is at least 40% of its existing maximum respiration rate. Other processes that may contribute to improving the potential for biomass PHA accumulation are also discussed.