In this study, a continuous flow experiment was conducted in which a lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor at psychrophilic conditions (18-19°C) was fed with artificial wastewater, containing tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and isoplophyl alcohol (IPA), from the electronics industry. This was done to evaluate process performance and microbial properties of the granular sludge that was retained in the reactor. The inoculated granular sludge was precultured with IPA containing wastewater but not TMAH; as a result, no degradation was observed in 30 days of operation. To enhance degradation, the reactor was seeded with 2% weight of the TMAH-enriched sludge, after which TMAH was enhanced. Consequently, the total COD removal efficiency reached 90% at an organic loading rate of 7.5 kg COD/m3/day. The TMAH inflow decreased the diameter of the retained granular sludge, but the sludge retained its settleability. The proliferation of the Methanometylovorans microorganisms present in the enrichment culture was confirmed by analysis of the 16 S rRNA gene in the retained sludge. In addition, TMAH degradation was inhibited by addition chloroform, a methanogen inhibitor. These results suggested species in the genus Methanometylovorans in the granular sludge contributed significantly to methanogenic TMAH degradation.
Keywords: Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket; electronic industry wastewater; isopropyl alcohol; psychrophilic condition; tetramethylammonium hydroxide.