Batch Reactor

Multiple types of treatment systems were considered, but it was found that a batch reactor would be the best type of large-scale treatment system. This two-step process, shown below, is similar to the experiments done in the laboratory. The first step allows contact between the lead contaminated solution and the fungi while being continously stirred. During the second step, the stirring stops, allowing the majority of the fungi to settle at the bottom. A hydraulic press filter moves downwards, seperating out the remainding fungi boimass. This allows the treated water to skimmed off the top of the tank, a process referred to as decanting. The sludge biomass can flow out of the bottom of the tank, where it is transported to be dried and disposed of. Because this process is similar to the laboratory experiments, the calculated data for the large-scale treatment system is expected to be reasonably representative of a real world scenario.

^{Batch Reactor Block Diagram / Photo Credit: Fungi Team}

Summary of Calculations

^{Agaricus bisporous. / Photo Credit: FreePik ©}The table below shows a simplified version of the calculated data for the large-scale batch reactor. As requested by the client, the reactor was designed to treat a volume of mine wastewater of 1000 gallons per day (GPD). This set the volume of the reactor at 3.79 cubic meters, minimum. The final lead concentration was set at 0.6 mg/L, following the standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The mass of mushroom that is needed to treat to the standard 0.6 mg/L is dependent on the incoming inital lead concentration, 60 mg/L in the following example. At an initial lead concentration of 60 mg/L, the concentration of lead in the fungi biomass was calcualted to be 0.069 mg of lead per g of mushroom.

Batch Reactor Specifications

Wastewater Treated (GPD)	Volume of Reactor (m3)	Mass of Mushrooms (kg)	Initial Lead Concentration (mg/L)	Final Lead Concentration in Water (mg/L)	Final Lead Concentration in fungi (mg/g)
1000	3.79	3,253	60	0.6	0.069