Experimental study and modelling of Cr (VI) removal from wastewater using Lemna minor

The removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater by Lemna minor was studied both at laboratory and pilot scale. Laboratory tests were conducted under different conditions of initial Cr(VI) concentration (0.5 and 2.0 mg/l) and temperature (285 and 291 K). Batch experiments were carried out during 16 days in which the chromium concentrations, both in the biomass and in wastewater were measured. Data were used to characterize the biouptake capacity of the biomass; results showed that it increases with the temperature and when the initial Cr concentration decreases. The biouptake process could be fitted by an equation, with a correlation coefficient of 0.98. The removal process was assessed using the data of the variation of chromium concentration in the wastewater with respect to time; this allowed obtaining constant parameters which were applied in a mathematical model for the assessment of duckweed systems in a pilot scale plant.     

Impact of temperature on nitrification in biological activated carbon (BAC) filters used for drinking water treatment

The impact of temperature on nitrification in biological granular activated carbon (GAC) filters was evaluated in order to improve the understanding of the nitrification process in drinking water treatment. The study was conducted in a northern climate where very cold water temperatures (below 2 degrees C) prevail for extended periods and rapid shifts of temperature are frequent in the spring and fall. Ammonia removals were monitored and the fixed nitrifying biomass was measured using a method of potential nitrifying activity. The impact of temperature was evaluated on two different filter media: an opened superstructure wood-based activated carbon and a closed superstructure activated carbon-based on bituminous coal. The study was conducted at two levels: pilot scale (first-stage filters) and full-scale (second-stage filters) and the results indicate a strong temperature impact on nitrification activity. Ammonia removal capacities ranged from 40 to 90% in pilot filters, at temperatures above 10 degrees C, while more than 90% ammonia was removed in the full-scale filters for the same temperature range. At moderate temperatures (4-10 degrees C), the first stage pilot filters removed 10-40% of incoming ammonia for both media (opened and closed superstructure). In the full-scale filters, a difference between the two media in nitrification performances was observed at moderate temperatures: the ammonia removal rate in the opened superstructure support (more than 90%) was higher than in the closed superstructure support (45%). At low temperatures (below 4 degrees C) both media performed poorly. Ammonia removal capacities were below 30% in both pilot- and full-scale filters.     

Removal of MIB and geosmin using granular activated carbon with and without MIEX pre-treatment

This study assessed the impact of MIEX pre-treatment, followed by either coagulation or microfiltration (MF), on the effectiveness of pilot granular activated carbon (GAC) filters for the removal of the taste and odour compounds, 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin, from a surface drinking water source over a 2-year period. Complete removal of MIB and geosmin was achieved by all GAC filters for the first 10 months, suggesting that the available adsorption capacity was sufficient to compensate for differences in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) entering the GAC filters.Reduction of empty bed contact time (EBCT), in all but one GAC filter, resulted in breakthrough of spiked MIB and geosmin, with initial results inconclusive regarding the impact of MIEX pre-treatment. MIB and geosmin removal increased over the ensuing 12 months until complete removal of both MIB and geosmin was again achieved in all but one GAC filter, which had been pre-chlorinated. Autoclaving and washing the GAC filters had minimal impact on geosmin removal but reduced MIB removal by 30% in all but the pre-chlorinated filter, confirming that biodegradation impacted MIB removal. The impact of biodegradation was greater than any impact on GAC adsorption arising from DOC differences due to MIEX pre-treatment. It is not clear whether, at a lower initial EBCT, MIEX pre-treatment may have impacted on the adsorption capacity of the virgin GAC.The GAC filter maintained at the longer EBCT, which was also pre-chlorinated, completely removed MIB and geosmin for the period of the study, suggesting that the greater adsorption capacity was compensating for any decrease in biological degradation.     

Characterization and treatability of aerobic bacterial thermophilically treated wastewater by a conventional activated sludge and granular activated carbon

An industrial wastewater that was pretreated by an aerobic thermophilic bacterial consortium (THE) was subjected to additional treatability studies by granular activated carbon (GAC) and a conventional activated sludge (CAS). The removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in both systems was generally found to be similar. While GAC was able to attain better effluent concentrations of toluene and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), the CAS was much more efficient at removing acetone. Furthermore, unlike the GAC, the performance of the CAS was not influenced by the high degree of variability in the influent wastewater. Characterization of the influent thermophilic wastewater using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was performed to quantify the micropollutants as well as to evaluate removal efficiencies from the GAC and CAS systems.     

Degradation of emergent contaminants by UV,UV/H2O2 and neutral photo-Fenton at pilot scale in a domestic wastewater treatment plant

This study focuses on the removal of 22 selected micropollutants in an effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWTP) at pilot scale. A reactor of 37 L with five low pressure mercury lamps emitting at 254 nm (UV₂₅₄) was used. The 22 micropollutants include 15 pharmaceuticals, 2 X-Ray contrast medias, 1 corrosion inhibitor and 4 biocides/pesticides. Five of these 22 compounds were used as indicative substances as proposed by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) (carbamazepine, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, benzotriazole and mecoprop).     

Treatment of naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid from tannery wastewater by a granular activated carbon fixed bed inoculated with bacterial isolates Arthrobacter globiformis and Comamonas testosteroni

The kinetics of naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid (2-NSA) adsorption by granular activated carbon (GAC) were measured and the relationships between adsorption, desorption, bioavailability and biodegradation assessed. The conventional Langmuir model fitted the experimental sorption isotherm data and introduced 2-NSA degrading bacteria, established on the surface of the GAC, did not interfere with adsorption. The potential value of GAC as a microbial support in the aerobic degradation of 2-NSA by Arthrobacter globiformis and Comamonas testosteroni was investigated. Using both virgin and microbially colonised GAC, adsorption removed 2-NSA from the liquid phase up to its saturation capacity of 140 mg/g GAC within 48 h. However, between 83.2% and 93.3% of the adsorbed 2-NSA was bioavailable to both bacterial species as a source of carbon for growth. In comparison to the non-inoculated GAC, the combination of rapid adsorption and biodegradation increased the amount (by 70-93%) of 2-NSA removal from the influent phase as well as the bed-life of the GAC (from 40 to >120 d). A microbially conditioned GAC fixed-bed reactor containing 15 g GAC removed 100% 2-NSA (100 mg/l) from tannery wastewater at an empty bed contact time of 22 min for a minimum of 120 d without the need for GAC reconditioning or replacement. This suggests that small volume GAC bioreactors could be used for tannery wastewater recycling.     

A~2/O型膜生物反应器污水处理工艺设计要点

采用旭化成化学株式会社生产的中空纤维膜组件,建立了处理能力为20m3/d的A2/O型膜生物反应器(MBR)系统,对城市污水的深度处理进行了中试研究。试验结果表明系统运行稳定,各项出水指标均达到或优于国家一级A标准。在此基础上,重点介绍了处理规模为30000m3/d,采用A2/O型膜生物反应器系统的总体概念设计。通过计算总结了设计要点,并得出单位经营成本为0.84元/m3,较其他同类工艺成本低。     

二级氧化工艺预处理对硝基苯甲酸废水的研究

以对硝基苯甲酸废水为处理对象,分别考察了O3／GAC、ClO2／GAC工艺以及二者的组合工艺对有机物的去除效率和改善废水可生化性的效果。结果表明,O3／GAC工艺的最佳O3投量为400mg／L,ClO2／GAC工艺的最佳ClO2投量为300mg／L;单级氧化工艺处理出水的有机物浓度仍较高,不能满足后续生化处理对进水水质的要求;O3／CAC-ClO2／GAC组合工艺的处理效果优于ClO2／GAC-O3／GAC组合工艺,其对COD的去除率可达75％左右,并使BOD5／COD值由原水的0．10升高到0．46,提高了废水的可生化性,减轻了后续生化处理的负荷,是对硝基苯甲酸废水的有效预处理方法。     

Enhanced biodegradation of petrochemical wastewater using ozonation and BAC advanced treatment system

The characteristics of degradation/conversion of bio-refractory and the growth of a biofilm are investigated in laboratory-scale pre-ozonation and lifted moving-bed biological activated carbon (BAC) advanced treatment processes treating phenol, benzoic acid, aminobenzoic acid and petrochemical industry wastewater which contains acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The optimal reaction time and ozone dosage of pre-ozonation for bio-refractory conversion were determined to be 30 min and 100-200 mg O3/hr, respectively. After pre-ozonation of 30 min treatment, BOD5/COD ratio of influent and effluent increased apparently from 20 to 35%, approximately. However, the change of pH in pre-ozonation was inconspicuous. The optimal flow rate of influent and air were controlled at 1.6 l/h and 120-150 nl/min in lifted moving-bed BAC advanced treatment reactor. A COD removal efficiency of 85-95% and 70-90% may be maintained by using an organic loading of 3.2-6.3 kg COD/m3 day and 0.6-1.6 kg-COD/m3 day with an HRT of 6.0 h as secondary and advanced treatment system, respectively. The time required for the BAC bed is be regenerated by a thermal regeneration is prolonged 4-5 times more than that of GAC system. It can be estimated that the enhanced COD removal capability of the biofilm was not only due to the increase in the COD removal capability of acclimated bacteria, but also due to species succession of bacteria in bio-film ecosystem.     

Electro‐oxidation of phenol in petroleum wastewater using a novel pilot‐scale electrochemical cell with graphite and stainless‐steel electrodes

This work investigated the removal of phenol from petroleum wastewater by the electro‐oxidation process. The experimental design was developed on a pilot‐scale electro‐oxidation system equipped with a cylindrical shape of graphite electrodes as an anode and stainless‐steel electrodes as a cathode. An initial study was performed based on operating variables such as current density and time on real petroleum wastewater. The optimum conditions were obtained as a current density of 3 mA/cm² and time 15 min. Under these applied optimum conditions, complete phenol removal from an initial concentration of about 6.8 mg/L was achieved. Also, 50–60% removal of organic matter in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD). The removal of organic matter using electro‐oxidation requires a long reaction time. Also, the economic study indicated that the energy consumption was determined to be 0.79 kWh/m³ and the operating cost was 0.051 $/m³ which is very economical compared with conventional methods.     

Treatment of hazardous shipyard wastewater using dolomitic sorbents

Hazardous shipyard wastewater is a worldwide problem, arising from ship repair. In this study an experimental programme was undertaken to establish the suitability of dolomite and dolomitic sorbent materials to remove contaminants from wastewater arising from a commercial shipyard. Experimental data indicate that dolomite and dolomitic sorbents have the ability to significantly reduce the COD concentration of the shipyard effluent (98% reduction). The data gained from trials at a shipyard indicated that the dolomite treatment process could be undertaken in a 8000 L pilot scale reaction vessel. Analysis of the wastewater using ICP-MS during the pilot trial indicated that the dolomite significantly reduced the concentrations of metallic impurities. The concentration of Sn ions, which is indicative of organo-tin complexes commonly found in shipyard wastewater, was reduced by 80% from its initial concentration in the pilot trial. The mechanism for the removal process using dolomite has been ascribed to a metal complexation/sorption process.     

Pilot scale treatment of textile wastewater by combined process (fluidized biofilm process-chemical coagulation-electrochemical oxidation)

The performance of pilot scale combined process of fluidized biofilm process, chemical coagulation and electrochemical oxidation for textile wastewater treatment was studied. In order to enhance biological treatment efficiency, two species of microbes, which can degrade textile wastewater pollutants efficiently, were isolated and applied to the system with supporting media. FeCl3 x 6H2O, pH 6 and 3.25 x 10(-3) mol/l were determined as optimal chemical coagulation condition and 25 mM NaCl of electrolyte concentration, 2.1 mA/cm2 of current density and 0.71/min of flow rate were chosen for the most efficient electrochemical oxidation at pilot scale treatment. The fluidized biofilm process showed 68.8% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 54.5% of color removal efficiency, even though using relatively low MLSS concentration and short sludge retention time. COD and color removals of 95.4% and 98.5% were achieved by overall combined process. The contribution of fluidized biofilm process to the overall combined process was increased over 25.7% of COD reduction and 20.5% of color reduction by adopting support media in biological treatment. It can be thought that the fluidized biofilm process was effective, and pollutant loading on post-treatment was pretty much decreased by this system. This combined process was highly competitive in comparison to the other similar combined systems. It was concluded that this combined process was successfully employed and much effectively decreased pollutant loading on post-treatment for textile wastewater treatment at pilot scale.     

Advanced water treatment with manganese oxide for the removal of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2)

Municipal wastewater is supposed to be one of the most important sources of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in water. Therefore, advanced treatments and cost-efficient techniques should be developed to prevent the spread of this type of pollution into the environment. In this view, experiments were conducted in which the removal of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic and persistent estrogen, from water was monitored in three upstream bioreactors (UBRs), filled with, respectively, sand, granulated activated carbon (GAC) and MnO(2) granules. Tap water, spiked with 15,000ngEE2/L was filtered through the reactors with a hydraulic retention time of approximately 1h. The removal of EE2 in the sand, GAC and MnO(2) reactors was, respectively, 17.3%,>99.8% and 81.7%. The removal in the GAC reactor was mainly due to adsorption. The MnO(2) reactor, however, removed significantly more EE2 than could be predicted from its adsorption capacity, probably thanks to its catalytic properties. These catalytic properties could make it a cost-efficient technique for the removal of EE2, but further research at more environmentally relevant concentrations is needed.     

微波-生物接触氧化法处理制药废水的研究

为探讨微波与生物接触氧化法用于处理制药废水的可行性,进行了相关试验研究.考察了微波处理对制药废水中COD的去除效果,结果表明：在微波辐射时间为2、8、10 min的条件下,对COD的去除率随着微波功率的增加呈相同的变化趋势;微波功率为382.5、434、459、510 W的条件下,对COD的去除率均随微波辐射时间的延长而有不同程度的提高;降低pH值有利于提高微波处理对COD的去除率.应用微波与生物接触氧化的组合工艺处理制药废水的试验结果表明：生物接触氧化的最佳处理时间为760 min;微波处理对COD的去除率为10%～15%,生物接触氧化法直接处理时,对原水COD的去除率较低,出水COD＞300mg/L;经过微波处理后（459 W、8min）再进行生物接触氧化处理（760 min）,则对COD的总去除率＞95%,最终出水的COD＜300mg/L,表明该组合工艺用于处理制药废水是可行的.     

微波强化Fenton氧化处理垃圾渗滤液的研究

以负载铁(Ⅱ)的颗粒活性炭(GAC)为催化剂,采用微波强化Fenton氧化处理老龄垃圾渗滤液,考察了对垃圾渗滤液的处理效果及微波的作用机理。结果表明,微波对Fenton氧化反应有催化作用,且可促进渗滤液中胶体的絮凝,微波作用时间是影响处理效果的主要因素;当GAC的铁负载量为33.32mg/g、微波功率为720W、微波时间为30min时,对COD和NH3-N的去除率最高,分别达到了95.64%和88.63%;COD主要通过催化氧化作用被去除,而NH3-N主要通过絮凝、吸附作用被去除;另外,微波可使GAC再生,提高了GAC的利用率。     

反硝化生物滤池用于污水深度脱氮研究

以酒仙桥污水厂的二级处理出水为研究对象,采用中试规模的臭氧／活性炭／反硝化生物滤池工艺进行生物脱氮,重点研究了反硝化生物滤池采用连续流自然挂膜法的启动速度和启动效果,以及碳源投量对总氮去除率的影响。结果表明：反硝化生物滤池是实现污水深度处理的有效手段,当外加乙酸钠作碳源并使C／N〉8时,对TN的去除率能达到80％以上;下向流反硝化生物滤池的生物量主要集中在滤池的上半段,对去除TN的贡献率可达65％。     

复合式生物池处理低温污水试验研究

为考察A/O复合式生物池对低温生活污水的净化效能。实验室试验和生产性试验对启动期耐冷活性污泥的挂膜过程、生物膜的特性、以及稳定期处理系统的净化效能进行了研究。     

Evaluation of granular activated carbon technology for the removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from drinking water

This study evaluated granular activated carbons (GACs) using rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs) on methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) levels from 20 to 2000 microg/L, with or without the presence of tert-butyl alcohol, benzene, toluene, p-xylene (BTX) in two groundwater (South Lake Tahoe Utility District [Lake Tahoe, CA] and Arcadia Well Field [Santa Monica, CA]) and a surface water source (Lake Perris, CA). Direct comparison between two GACs was made for RSSCTs conducted with surface water from Lake Perris. The impact of natural organic matter on GAC performance was investigated and found to correspond with total organic carbon concentration in the three source waters. Significant reduction in GAC performance for MTBE due to competitive adsorption from soluble fuel components (e.g., BTX) was observed. Little or no difference in GAC usage rate or bed life was detected as the empty-bed contact time is changed from 10 to 20 min for RSSCTs conducted in the two groundwater sources, whereas the RSSCTs conducted in the surface water source exhibited significant increase in GAC usage rate as the empty-bed contact time is decreased from 20 to 10 min. This finding suggests that the higher NOM content of the surface water over the groundwater sources caused a greater competitive-adsorption effect that made more sites on the GAC to be unavailable to MTBE, thus decreasing its rate of adsorption and GAC performance for MTBE. Finally, the impact of differential influent MTBE concentration on GAC performance was demonstrated.     

Possibility of improving technological effectiveness of dairy wastewater treatment through application of active fillings and microwave radiation

The aim of the study was to determine the technological effectiveness of treatment process of model dairy wastewater in anaerobic reactors with active filling (AF), heated with electromagnetic microwave radiation (EMR). Experiments were conducted on a laboratory scale. The AF were produced using micro-pore extrusion technology. The study demonstrated that AF introduction to the technological system and application of EMR significantly improved the effectiveness of organic compounds, phosphorus removal and biogas production. Initial organic loading rate also affected the final results of wastewater treatment.     

Application of Granular Activated Carbon in the Water Industry

U ntil the mid 1980s granular activated carbon (GAC) was used in only a small number of water-treatment plants in the UK. Since then the material has been installed in over 30 plants, either as a result of an operational decision to treat the water by GAC or for the purpose of full-scale experiments. GAC is used for a variety of reasons including taste and odour control, removal of a wide range of synthetic organic compounds (for example volatile chlorinated solvents, pesticides, oils) of molecular weight 100–500, and adsorption of trihalomethane precursors (molecular weight 10³-10⁵). The performance of different GACs for a particular duty may vary by a factor of 10, and the best GAC for one application may be the worst for another. Thus, to minimize the cost of GAC treatment, it is essential to identify the purpose for which GAC is being used and then to select, by pilot trials or by more rapid laboratory procedures and mathematical modelling, the most appropriate GAC for that particular application.