Production of sanitary safe water of high quality with membrane technology is an alternative for conventional disinfection methods, as UF and MF membranes are found to be an effective barrier for pathogenic protozoa cysts, bacteria, and partially, viruses. The application of membranes in water treatment enables the reduction of chlorine consumption during final disinfection, what is especially recommended for long water distribution systems, in which microbiological quality of water needs to be effectively maintained. Membrane filtration, especially ultrafiltration and microfiltration, can be applied to enhance and improve disinfection of water and biologically treated wastewater, as ultrafiltration act as a barrier for viruses, bacteria and protozoa, but microfiltration does not remove viruses. As an example of direct application of UF/MF to wastewater treatment, including disinfection, membrane bioreactors can be mentioned. Additionally, membrane techniques are used in removal of disinfection byproducts from water. For this purpose, high pressure driven membrane processes, i.e. reverse osmosis and nanofiltration are mainly applied, however, in the case of inorganic DBPs, electrodialysis or Donnan dialysis can also be considered.

Substitution of fossil fuels with alternative energy carriers has become necessary due to climate change and fossil fuel shortages. Fermentation as a way of producing biohydrogen, an attractive and environmentally friendly future energy carrier, has captured received increasing attention in recent years because of its high H2 production rate and a variety of readily available waste substrates used in the process. This paper discusses the state-of-the-art of fermentative biohydrogen production, factors affecting this process, as well as various bioreactor configurations and performance parameters, including H2 yield and H2 production rate.

The paper contains a micobiological characteristic of sewage sludge composted in controlled conditions together with bio-wastes (straw, sawdust, bark). An experiment was carried out in which the composted material was mixed up in adequate weight proportion and placed in biorcactor chambers with a constant air flow. The composting process aimed at defining the development dynamics and the survival of pathogenic microorganisms in the sewage sludge composted with different additions in a cybernetic bioreactor. Samples of compost necessary for microbiological analyses were taken at the same time, in reference to the actual temperature value. Bacteriological studies were carried out on selected substrates by plate method determining the number of pathogenic bacteria from the species: Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, as well as from Enterobacteriaccac family. In the experiments, the presence of living eggs or intestinal ATT pathogens was determined by floatation method, as well. Il was found that the sewage sludge used in composting process did not contain any Salmonella spp. bacteria or any living eggs of intestinal ATT pathogens. Composting process completely eliminated the number or bacteria from Enterobactcriaccae family, bul it did not contribute lo the elimination of Clostridium perfringens bacteria. On the basis of the obtained results, it was found that the elimination of the studied groups of microorganisms, in all studied composts took place with the increase of temperature. In the case or Enterobacteriaceae, it was found that their complete removal from the composted material took place in chamber K3, while in the remaining chambers, it followed 48 hours later. Elimination ofthe vegetative forms ofC!oslridium perfringens bacteria followed after 96 hours of composting, in all composts at the same time. The obtained composts met the sanitary norms according lo the regulations of the EC Commission No. I 85/2007 of February 20, 2007 which changed the regulation of WE No. 809/2003 and WE No. 810/2003 referring to the extension of the validity period of transitional means for composting plants and biogas producing plants according to the instruction orWE No. 1774/2002 of European Parliament and Council and according to the instruction of the Minister for Agriculture and Country Development (2004).

The practical applications of bacteriophages are associated with the problems related to the intensification, optimization of process production of this biomaterial and the search for new methods of production. The production of bacteriophages requires a fine balance between the dynamic growth of the bacteriophage and the host. The electromagnetic field (EMF) is a promising biotechnological method for the process production of bacteriophages. This study evaluates the use of various types of EMF to enhance the process. It was found that the process production of bacteriophages is divided into two stages. In the first stage, the influence of various types of EMF on the proliferation process of bacteria (host) was analyzed. Secondly, the process production of bacteriophage was implemented for the optimal infection conditions under the action of the various types of EMF. Moreover, the study demonstrated that the most effective bacteriophage production was the process with the application of the rotating magnetic field (RMF), pulsed magnetic field (PMF) and the static magnetic field (SMF) with negative polarity.

The paper presents modeling and simulation results of the operation of a three-phase fluidized bed bioreactorwith partial recirculation of biomass. The proposed quantitative description of the bioreactor takes into account biomass growth on inert carriers, microorganisms decay and interphase biomass transfer. Stationary characteristics of the bioreactor and local stability of steady-stateswere determined. The influence of microbiological growth kinetics on the multiplicity of steady-states was discussed. The relationship between biofilm growth and boundaries of fluidized bed existence was shown.

A number of inorganic compounds, including anions such as nitrate(V), chlorate(VII), bromate (V),

arsenate(III) and (V), borate and fluoride as well as metals forming anions under certain conditions, have been

found in potentially harmful concentrations in numerous water sources. The maximum allowed levels of these

compounds in drinking water set by the WHO and a number of countries are very low (in the range of µg/l to a

few mg/l), thus the majority of them can be referred to as charged micropollutants. Several common treatment

technologies which are nowadays used for removal of inorganic contaminants from natural water supplies, represent serious exploitation problems. Membrane processes such as reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF),

ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF) in hybrid systems, Donnan dialysis (DD) and electrodialysis (ED)

as well as membrane bioreactors (MBR), if properly selected, offer the advantage of producing high quality

drinking water without inorganic anions.

I

The potential of organic wastes in Ukraine for biogas production and the prospects of using the family-type biogas plants for this purpose are shown. In the biogas laboratory of the Ukrainian National Forestry University the efficiency of the anaerobic mesophilic digestion of chicken manure of Poltava poultry farm, Kamianets-Podilsky poultry farm and sewage sludge from Lviv wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was investigated. Different integral indicators of the biogas production and significantly different dynamics of its formation over time were obtained for three investigated substrates. The value of average specific biogas production from the sewage sludge of Lviv WWTP is 0.494 dm3∙(day∙kg FM)–1, which is 5.1 times more comparing the chicken manure of Kamianets-Podilsky poultry farm and 8.0 times more than for the chicken manure of Poltava poultry farm. Strong negative effect of antibiotic treatment of chickens on methane contentin the obtained biogas was established experimentally.

The quantitative description of an airlift bioreactor, in which aerobic biodegradation limited by carbonaceous substrate and oxygen dissolved in a liquid takes place, is presented. This process is described by the double-substrate kinetics. Mathematical models based on the assumption of plug flow and dispersion flow of liquid through the riser and the downcomer in the reactor were proposed. Calculations were performed for two representative hydrodynamic regimes of reactor operation, i.e. with the presence of gas bubbles only within the riser and for complete gas circulation. The analysis aimed at how the choice of a mathematical model of the process would enable detecting the theoretical occurrence of oxygen deficiency in the airlift reactor. It was demonstrated that the simplification of numerical calculations by assuming the “plug flow” model instead of dispersion with high Péclet numbers posed a risk of improper evaluation of the presence of oxygen deficiency zones. Conclusions related to apparatusmodelling and process design were drawn on the basis of the results obtained. The paper is a continuation of an earlier publication (Grzywacz, 2012a) where an analysis of single-substrate models of the airlift reactor was presented.

In recent years, infections are more often caused by pathogens with high multi-drug resistance, classified as the “ESKAPE” microorganisms. Therefore, investigation of these pathogens, e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae, often requires biomass production for treatment testing such as antibiotics or bacteriophages. Moreover, K. pneumoniae can be successfully applied as a biocatalyst for other industrial applications, increasing the need for this bacteria biomass. In the current study, we proposed a novel magnetically assisted bioreactor for the cultivation of K. pneumoniae cells in the presence of an external alternating magnetic field (AMF). High efficiency of the production requires optimal bacteria growth conditions, e.g., temperature and field frequency. Therefore, we performed an optimization procedure using a central composite design for these two parameters in a wide range. As an objective function, we utilized a novel, previously described growth factor that considers both biomass and bacteria growth kinetics. Thus, based on the response surface, we could specify the optimal growth conditions. Moreover, we analysed the impact of the AMF on bacteria proliferation, which indicated positive field frequency windows, where the highest stimulatory effect of AMF on bacteria proliferation occurred. Obtained results proved that the magnetically assisted bioreactor could be successfully employed for K. pneumoniae cultivation.

This work aims at investigating the influence of the initial concentrations of carbon (glucose) and organic nitrogen (yeast extract) sources on Streptomyces rimosus ATCC10970 secondary metabolism in the stirred tank bioreactors. Additionally, glucose utilisation, biomass formation, pH, redox potential and dissolved oxygen levels, and the morphological development of S. rimosus pseudomycelium were studied. Eighteen secondary metabolites were detected by mass spectrometry and identified with the use of the authentic standard, or putatively with the use of literature and database of secondary metabolites. Varied initial yeast extract concentration acted much stronger on the formation of secondary metabolites than glucose did. For example, oxytetracycline was not biosynthesised at high yeast extract concentration while the formation of three other metabolites was enhanced under these conditions. In the case of glucose its increasing initial concentration led to higher secondary metabolite levels with the exception of an unnamed angucycline. High initial yeast extract concentration also drastically changed S. rimosus pseudomycelial morphology from the pelleted to the dispersed one. Ultimately, the cultivation media with the varied initial levels of carbon and nitrogen sources were proved to have the marked effect on S. rimosus secondary metabolism and to be the simplest way to either induce or block the formation of the selected secondary metabolites.

The main goal of the present study was to examine the operating characteristics and mechanisms of membrane fouling in integrated membrane bioreactors (IMBRs) at diff erent temperatures. Two IMBRs, each with identical dimensions and confi gurations, were used in the study using synthetic domestic sewage at a low temperature (10°C) and high temperature (25°C). The results indicated that the removal effi ciency of chemical oxygen demand reached 93–96%, but the membrane contribution rate of IMBR2 (10°C) was higher than that of IMBR1 (25°C). The separation burden of the membrane on organic compounds increased at low temperature, which may have sped up the rate of membrane biofouling. The absolute rate of trans-membrane pressure build-up was faster at low temperature, leading to shorter IMBR operating times. Soluble microbial products (SMPs) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in the IMBRs signifi cantly increased at low temperature. These substances intensifi ed defl occulation, with an accompanying reduction of fl oc size and the release of EPSs at low temperature, which facilitated the formation of cake foulants on the surface, covering the entire membrane area. The protein and polysaccharide concentrations of SMPs and EPSs in the IMBRs were correlated with the concentration of C8-HSL. It was demonstrated that temperature aff ected the concentration of C8-HSL, which controlled the excretion of EPSs and SMPs and thus the membrane biofouling process.

In this paper study results of selected production methods for agricultural biogas are shown and technical and technological aspects of these methods are described for monosubstrate bioreactors. Based on the available literature, modelling of mixing in bioreactors using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was is demonstrated. As part of the research, the numerical simulation method was used with a tool that contains CFD codes. The model k-ε is used to simulate the mean flow characteristics under turbulent flow conditions. This is a two-equation model that gives a general description of turbulence. The work presents the results of numerical studies that make it possible to understand the characteristics of fluid flow in the adhesive bed used for the production of agricultural biogas. The tests showed that in the core of the adhesive bed there is a flow of 0.19 m∙s ^–1, while in the outer part of the bed there is a flow in the range 0.01–0.02 m∙s ^–1. Taking into account the substrate inflow of 0.17 m∙s ^–1 (in the upper part of the fermentor), it was observed that the Klinkenberg effect for autocyclic movement (from bottom to top) takes place. The novelty in the article is the observation of the dominant flow in the core of the bed and the autocyclic flow in the opposite direction in the peripheral areas of the adhesive bed.

Typically applied static (i.e. non-agitated) cultures do not provide sufficient conditions for efficient propagation of suspended non-adherent cells, in general. Feasibility of small-scale wave-type agitated single-use bioreactors for gentle agitation underlies applicability of such systems for scaling-up of fragile biomass of animal cells. The basic aim of the study was to compare the results of non-adherent HL-60 cell propagation performed referentially as the batch culture in typical static (i.e. non-agitated) disposable culture flasks (50 cm3 of culture medium) and in ReadyToProcess WAVETM25 bioreactor system (GE Healthcare) equipped with disposable culture bag (300 cm3 of culture medium) subjected to continuous wave-type agitation. The density and viability of HL-60 cells were significantly higher for the bioprocess subjected to wave-type agitation, than in the reference static culture. The values of the specific rate of glucose consumption per cell (rglc=cell) exhibited by HL-60 cells maintained in the system with continuous wave-type agitation was significantly lower (i.e. up to more than 42%) than the values noted for the static culture, for exactly the same time-points of two compared cultures. The results of the studies undoubtedly and comprehensively confirmed the applicability of the studied disposable bioreactor with wave-induced agitation as the right platform for proceeding the propagation of non- adherent HL-60 cells and for providing the culture conditions required by HL-60 cells for sustainable metabolism.

Simplified optimization method using the MATLAB function fminbnd was adopted to determine the optimal feed temperature (OFT) for an isothermal packed-bed reactor (PBR) performing hydrogen peroxide decomposition (HPD) by immobilized Terminox Ultra catalase (TUC). The feed temperature was determined to maximize (minimize) the average reactant conversion (reactant concentration) over a fixed period time at the reactor outlet. The optimization was based on material balance and rate equation for enzyme action and decay and considered the effect of mass-transfer limitations on the system behavior. In order to highlight the relevance and applicability of the work reported here, the case of optimality under isothermal operating conditions is considered and the practical example is worked out. Optimisation method under consideration shows that inappropriate selection of the feed temperature may lead to a decrease in the bioreactor productivity.

The amount of solid organic waste is constantly growing. This is caused by the growth of industrial and agricultural capacities, and the inefficiency of existing waste processing technologies. Biotechnologies can provide effective environmentally friendly solutions for waste treatment. Therefore, the goal of our work was to compare the efficiency of strictly anaerobic fermentation of multi-component solid organic waste with hydrogen synthesis and waste treatment with pulsed air access in batch bioreactors.During fermentation, the following parameters were controlled: pH, redox potential (Eh), concentration of dissolved organics, and the content of H2, O2, and CO2 in the gas phase. The efficiency was evaluated via the process duration, calculation of the ratio of the initial and final weight of waste (Кd), and the yield of molecular hydrogen. Obtained results revealed high efficiency of organic waste degradation in both variants. The weight of waste 83-fold and 86-fold decreased, respectively. The time required for fermentation in strictly anaerobic conditions was 4 days, whereas 7 days were required for the mode with pulsed air access. The first variant provided a 2.8-fold higher hydrogen yield (54±4,1 L/kg of waste), and the second one provided a decrease in the concentration of dissolved organic compounds in the fermentation fluid. Fermentation is the effective approach for accelerated degradation of solid organic waste. Strictly anaerobic fermentation appeared to be useful in the need to accelerate the process. The mode with the pulsed air access can provide not only degradation of solid waste but also purification of the fermentation fluid.