The synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates from low carbon wastewater under anaerobic-microaerobic process: effects of pH and nitrogen and phosphorus limitation

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a new type of bio-polyester which is expected to replace traditional petroleum-based plastics. The experiment was carried out based on anaerobic-microaerobic process. Firstly, the PHA accumulation capacity of activated sludge under different pH conditions was discussed, and then the batch test of nitrogen and phosphorus limitation was carried out under the condition of optimal pH. Moreover, the content of PHA monomer under nutrient restriction was also studied. The experimental results showed that when pH was not controlled (7.5~8.5), C:N and C:P weight ratio was equal to 150, the maximum content of PHA accounted for 50.39% and 36.07% of the dry cell weight, respectively. Besides, it was found that increasing the C:N weight ratio was beneficial to increasing the proportion of polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) monomer in PHA.