[Optimized cultivation of a bioflocculant M-C11 produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae and its application in sludge dewatering].

A bioflocculant-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strain C11 was screened out from activated sludge and the optimal medium conditions for the production of microbial flocculant M-C11 were determined. The bioflocculant was used in activated sludge dewatering and compared with conventional chemical conditioners. Effects of pH, CaCl2 dosages and M-C11 dosages on sludge dewaterability were investigated. The optimized conditions for M-C11 production indicated that the optimal medium carbon, nitrogen, metal ion were 30 g x L(-1) glucose, 2 g x L(-1) NaNO3 and 0.5 g x L(-1) MgSO4, respectively. The flocculating rate with kaolin suspension was as high as 91.70%, when incubated in a rotary shaker at 150 r x min(-1) and 37 degrees C for 48 h. The microbial focculant showed excellent pH and thermal stability over a pH range of 4-8 and a temperature range of 20-60 degrees C. Then the bioflocculant M-C11 produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae was employed to enhance the sludge dewaterability. The sludge resistance to filtration (SRF) and cake moisture decreased from 11.64 x 10(12) m x kg(-1) and 98.86% to 4.66 x 10(12) m x kg(-1) and 83.74%, respectively. Sludge dewatering performance was more significantly improved with the optimal conditioning dosages (pH = 6, 3 mL M-C11, 4 mL CaCl2), than inorganic flocculating reagents such as aluminum sulfate and polymeric aluminum chloride (PAC). The microbial flocculant has advantages over traditional sludge conditioners for its lower cost, benign biodegradability and ignorable secondary pollution. In addition, it was favorably adapted to the sludge pH and salinity. The novel bioflocculant could be used as a potential conditioner for sludge dewatering.