Conventional and (eco) toxicological assessment of batch partial ozone oxidation and subsequent biological treatment of a tank truck cleaning generated concentrate

This paper compares the treatment efficiencies of direct (pH 7.5) and advanced (pH 11.5) partial ozonation followed by biodegradation for the treatment of tank cleaning wastewater concentrate. Both S_COD and toxicity removal efficiencies are examined and direct ozonation is found to perform better in combined toxicity and S_COD removal. Optimal process performance, i.e. the minimal ozone dosage resulting in a maximal removal of S_COD and toxicity in the final effluent, is reached upon reaction of 500 mg O₃/l for both ozonation processes. This ozone dosage results in 60% S_COD reduction for direct ozonation and 64% S_COD reduction for advanced ozonation. A 79% toxicity reduction was achieved using direct ozonation compared to 53% toxicity reduction for advanced ozonation as measured with the standard Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata algal 72 h growth inhibition test. Short-term methods for biodegradability (respirometry) and toxicity (30 min Vibrio fisheri luminescence inhibition) estimation are evaluated in view of process control. The maximal specific oxygen uptake rate of an activated sludge culture (respirometry) is found to relate to the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (S_BOD,5) but less to the actual S_COD removal during biodegradation. The 30 min Vibrio fisheri luminescence inhibition test is found to be a good short-term estimator for relative changes in toxicity when compared to the standard P. subcapitata algal 72 h growth inhibition test. The 500 mg O₃/l optimal ozone dosage, as determined from P. subcapitata algal 72 h growth inhibition and S_COD removal, could be retrieved using short-term methods.