Hi WWMANDOLIO,
The methanol that is to be added should not generally be a a level that will require an acclimatization period. After all the methanol is being added to boost carbon source to "force" the "bio-mass" to utilise the chemically bound oxygen for respiration. Therefore a period of acclimatization is unlikely to be necessary.

As you are using a small scale lab reactor, the active sludge will change and acclimatize to its different physical conditions over a sludge age. You might want to do this before the addition of methanol.

Hi WWMANDOLIO,

We have found acclimatization period for methanol of 14 to 21 days in cases in which the sludge was not used to methanol. Be aware of toxic levels and start with small  amounts. Follow the COD level and as soon these drop to acceptable levels some more methanol can be added.

Good luck,
Geert

Hi Ken,

I have realized that methanol needs acclimatization and this can vary from one sludge to another.

I am in the way of making up a respirometry application based on the principle that when we bring the anoxic sludge into aerobic condition the biomass activity from methanol is also related to its anoxic activity. In other words, the respirogram created from methanol can indicate how the sludge is being acclimatized.

The procedure to follow consists in - on similar conditions (VSS, temperature, ...) - periodically tracking the maximum specific respiration rate in the respirogram fingerprint.

As methanol is on the way to be acclimatized along the time, the specific respiration rate will progressively increase its value untill reaching its maximum top. As soos as it happens, the methanol should be acclimatized and NUR should be in its normal range.

Emilio

Hi,

Next week we will iniciate a study about this respirometry application related with Methanol.

In this study we have also decided to include a respirometry toxicty test in order to determine the initial methanol loading for not causing any toxic effect in the sludge and protect it from the begining.

This test is based in performing a respirogram from a standard compound (acetate) under overloading condition.
Like this, the respirogram will go to its maximum respiration rate (for this specific substrate) and form a top reference line.
Under this max. respiration state we can add a serial of progressive methanol dosis (*), and see their reaction in the sludge untill reaching a methanol loading that begins to cause a toxic effect.

(*) For each dosis, we should calculate the equivalent load as regard to the actual process.

Regards,

Emilio

Hi everyone !! I'm working on the biofiltration of liquid methanol in saline conditions... I was wondering if you guys knew some protocols to acclimate my microorganismes, both to the methanol and salts ?
How should I proceed, should I start with increasing concentrations of methanol daily for a certain time, and THEN add the salts ?

Methanol and salts must vary in the biofilter after the acclimatation between :
[methanol] = 1 and 20 gr/L
[salts] = 0 and 30gr/L

Thanks in advance for your help !

Normally I have three levels : 1gr/L , 10gr/L, 20gr/L for methanol
And same for salts : 5gr/L, 20gr/L, and 30 gr/L for NaCl