Fate of wood extractives in wastewater treatment plants at kraft pulp mills and mechanical pulp mills

Extensive environmental effects of the forest industry led to implementation of activated sludge treatment of effluents in the 1980s. Although the existence of chlorinated compounds in the effluents has decreased, a discussion about the possible environmental effects of elemental-chlorine-free (ECF) and total-chlorine-free (TCF) bleached pulp mill effluents has arisen, and chronic effects on aquatic organisms have still been found. Recently, studies have mainly focussed on wood extractives and their role in the effects of effluents. Resin acids and unsaturated fatty acids are found to be toxic, and plant sterols are reported to have adverse endocrine effects on water organisms already at low concentrations. In this study, Finnish wastewater treatment plants of an ECF kraft pulp mill, a paper mill, and an integrated TCF kraft pulp and paper mill were sampled in order to ascertain how wastewater treatment plants, and especially activated sludge treatments, remove wood extractives. Concentrations of extractives in discharged wastewaters varied between 0.4 and 11 g/t kraft or mechanical pulp, and the concentrations decreased over 95% during the treatment processes. Of the wood extractives, 1.1-64% were adsorbed to biosludge and 35-99% were degraded or transformed to other forms during the activated sludge treatment. A major part of these compounds were discharged in particles (74-99%). The removal of extractives was efficient even in the effluent treatment plant, which was highly loaded during the sampling period.     

The microbiology of an activated sludge waste-water treatment plant chemically treated for phosphorus removal

Microbiological research was conducted on a dual, secondary wastewater treatment system which was part of The Pennsylvania State University wastewater treatment plant. Each aeration basin received identical wastewater which was the effluent from a high rate trickling filter. One of the aeration basins was dosed with aluminum sulfate for the purpose of phosphorus removal. The other aeration basin (control) was operated in the conventional manner without alum addition. Plate counts performed on combined chemical-biological sludge and control activated sludge revealed that a higher number of viable micro-organisms was contained in the chemical-biological sludge, but the magnitude of difference between the two sludges was significant depending on the culture medium employed. Results suggest the aluminum flocs formed in the chemical-biological treatment enmesh dispersed wastewater micro-organisms, some of which are qualitatively unlike those indigenous to natural activated sludge. The combined chemical-biological sludge contained significantly higher numbers of lipolytic, gelatinolytic, and thiosulfate oxidizing micro-organisms and, possibly, fewer nitrite oxidizing micro-organisms than did control activated sludge. Alum did not appear to affect flagellated protozoa in mixed liquor; however, amoeboid and ciliated protozoa were found less frequently in alum dosed than in control mixed liquor. The settled effluent from the combined chemical-biological aeration basin generally contained fewer total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci than did counterpart control effluents.     

Evaluating the influence of process parameters on soluble microbial products formation using response surface methodology coupled with grey relational analysis

Soluble microbial products (SMPs) present a major part of residual chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the effluents from biological wastewater treatment systems, and the SMP formation is greatly influenced by a variety of process parameters. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with grey relational analysis (GRA) method was used to evaluate the effects of substrate concentration, temperature, NH₄⁺-N concentration and aeration rate on the SMP production in batch activated sludge reactors. Carbohydrates were found to be the major component of SMP, and the influential priorities of these factors were: temperature > substrate concentration > aeration rate > NH₄⁺-N concentration. On the basis of the RSM results, the interactive effects of these factors on the SMP formation were evaluated, and the optimal operating conditions for a minimum SMP production in such a batch activated sludge system also were identified. These results provide useful information about how to control the SMP formation of activated sludge and ensure the bioreactor high-quality effluent.     

The removal of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors and illicit drugs during wastewater treatment and its impact on the quality of receiving waters

A 5-month monitoring program was undertaken in South Wales in the UK to determine the fate of 55 pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors and illicit drugs (PPCPs) in two contrasting wastewater plants utilising two different wastewater treatment technologies: activated sludge and trickling filter beds. The impact of treated wastewater effluent on the quality of receiving waters was also assessed.PPCPs were found to be present at high loads reaching 10 kg day⁻¹ in the raw sewage. Concentrations of PPCPs in raw sewage were found to correlate with their usage/consumption patterns in Wales and their metabolism. The efficiency of the removal of PPCPs was found to be strongly dependent on the technology implemented in the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In general, the WWTP utilising trickling filter beds resulted in, on average, less than 70% removal of all 55 PPCPs studied, while the WWTP utilising activated sludge treatment gave a much higher removal efficiency of over 85%. The monitoring programme revealed that treated wastewater effluents were the main contributors to PPCPs concentrations (up to 3 kg of PPCPs day⁻¹) in the rivers studied. Bearing in mind that in the cases examined here the WWTP effluents were also major contributors to rivers' flows (dilution factor for the studied rivers did not exceed 23 times) the effect of WWTP effluent on the quality of river water is significant and cannot be underestimated.     

Techno-Economic Assessment Of Biological Treatment And Water Reuse Of Effluent From The Food Industries

Treatment of high strength wastewater generated by food plants requires a development of cost effective wastewater treatment schemes and exploration of viable means for treated water reuse. This paper addresses the techno-economic aspects of a combined biological treatment scheme comprising anaerobic digestion and aerobic biological filters. Advanced water treatment for reuse includes multimedia filtration, activated carbon adsorption and membrane separation. Analysis of the results of the combined performance of the anaerobic/aerobic treatment indicates that treating high strength wastewater could be achieved by an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and high rate trickling filter. Typical biological treatment capital and operating costs are about 1.3 million dollars and 131,000 dollars, respectively, for a treatment facility of about 4000 v m 3 /day to produce effluents of COD about 30 v mg/l. Water reuse costs ranged from US$ 0.034 to US$ 0.38/m 3 based on the salt content and residual dissolved organic matter.     

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors operated under high salinity conditions

Considering the importance of stable and well-functioning granular sludge in anaerobic high-rate reactors, a series of experiments were conducted to determine the production and composition of EPS in high sodium concentration wastewaters pertaining to anaerobic granule properties. The UASB reactors were fed with either fully acidified substrate (FAS) consisting of an acetate medium (reactor R1) or partly acidified substrate (PAS) consisting of acetate, gelatine and starch medium (reactors R2, R3, and R4). For EPS extraction, the cation exchange resin (CER) method was used. Strength and particle size distribution were determined by assessing the formation of fines sludge under conditions of high shear rate and by laser diffraction, respectively. Batch tests were performed in 0.25 L bottles to study Ca²⁺ leaching from anaerobic granular sludge when incubated in 20 g Na⁺/L in the absence of feeding for 30 days. Results show a steady increase in the bulk liquid Ca²⁺ concentration during the incubation period. UASB reactor results show that the amounts of extracted proteins were higher from reactors R2 and R3, fed with PAS compared to the sludge samples from reactor R1, fed with FAS. Strikingly, the amount of extracted proteins also increased for all reactor sludges, irrespective of the Na⁺ concentration applied in the feed, i.e. 10 or 20 gNa⁺/L. PAS grown granular sludges showed an important increase in particle size during the operation of the UASB reactors. Results also show that, addition of 1 gCa²⁺/L to the high salinity wastewater increases the granules' strength.     

Integrated application of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor for the treatment of wastewaters

The UASB process among other treatment methods has been recognized as a core method of an advanced technology for environmental protection. This paper highlights the treatment of seven types of wastewaters i.e. palm oil mill effluent (POME), distillery wastewater, slaughterhouse wastewater, piggery wastewater, dairy wastewater, fishery wastewater and municipal wastewater (black and gray) by UASB process. The purpose of this study is to explore the pollution load of these wastewaters and their treatment potential use in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket process. The general characterization of wastewater, treatment in UASB reactor with operational parameters and reactor performance in terms of COD removal and biogas production are thoroughly discussed in the paper. The concrete data illustrates the reactor configuration, thus giving maximum awareness about upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor for further research. The future aspects for research needs are also outlined.     

Post‐treatment of up‐flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor effluents in activated sludge process‐based system for anionic surfactants

This paper presents the performance of two full‐scale up‐flow anaerobic sludge blanket–activated sludge process (UASB‐ASP)‐based sewage treatment plants (STPs) (surface and diffused aeration‐based activated sludge processes as post‐treatment units). Performance of this combination is compared with UASB–polishing ponds and UASB–ozonation‐based STPs. Post‐treatment units removed 89 and 92% of anionic surfactants (AS) by surface and diffused aeration, respectively. Finally, 0.61 and 0.23 mg/L of AS were discharged from post‐treatment steps after overall reduction of 90–92%. Final concentrations from UASB‐ASP‐based STPs were low compared with UASB–polishing ponds (3.60–4.91 mg/L) and UASB–ozonation (1.52 and 0.53 mg/L). Overall, UASB‐ASP‐based STPs were working efficiently for the removal of organics in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) (84%) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (93%), but they need further modifications for the removal of AS up to the level of risk quotient [risk quotient (RQ)] ≤ 1 for no risk to aquatic environment.     

Quantification and molecular characterization of enteric viruses detected in effluents from two hospital wastewater treatment plants

Hospital wastewater has been described as an important source of spreading pathogenic microorganisms in the environment. However, there are few studies reporting the presence and concentrations of gastroenteric viruses and hepatitis A viruses in these environmental matrices. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination by viruses responsible for acute gastroenteritis and hepatitis derived from hospital wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Rotavirus A (RV-A), human adenoviruses (HAdV), norovirus genogroup I and II (NoV GI/GII) and hepatitis A viruses (HAV) were detected and quantified in sewage samples from two WWTPs located in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) that operates different sewage treatments. WWTP-1 uses an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB reactor) and three serial anaerobic filters while WWTP-2 uses aerobic processes, activated sludge with extended aeration and final chlorination of the effluents. Viruses’ detection was investigated by using conventional PCR/RT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and partial sequencing of the genome of the viruses detected. Rate of viruses detection ranged from 7% (NoV GI in WWTP-1) to 95% (RV-A in WWTP-2) and genome from all viruses were detected. The most prevalent genotypes were RV-A SG I, HAdV species D and F, NoV GII/4 and HAV subgenotype IA. Mean values of viral loads (genome copies (GC)/ml) obtained in filtered effluents from anaerobic process was 1.9 × 10³ (RV-A), 2.8 × 10³ (HAdV) and 2.4 × 10³ (NoV GII). For chlorinated effluents from activated sludge process, the mean values of viral loads (GC/ml) was 1.2 × 10⁵ (RV-A), 1.4 × 10³ (HAdV), 8.1 × 10² (NoV GII) and 2.8 × 10⁴ (HAV). Data on viral detection in treated effluents of hospital WWTPs confirmed the potential for environmental contamination by viruses and could be useful to establish standards for policies on wastewater management.     

Effect of PAC addition on sludge properties in an MBR treating high strength wastewater

This paper examines the sludge characteristics in a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) operated on a high strength wastewater from an alcohol distillery. Two membrane bioreactors, each with a 30 μm mesh filter, were investigated with and without addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC). Experiments were conducted with varying organic loading rates ranging from 3.4 to 6.9 kgCOD m⁻³ day⁻¹ and the specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR), sludge volume index (SVI), mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), particle size and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were monitored over a 180 day period. Respirometric experiments did not show enhancement in microbial activity with PAC supplementation. Addition of PAC decreased the SVI thereby perceptibly improving sludge dewaterability. The sludge particle size, which increased with time, appeared to be independent of PAC addition but was influenced by the aeration intensity. PAC also did not affect the sludge EPS concentration; however, the EPS composition, in terms of protein/carbohydrate (polysaccharide) ratio was altered resulting in a high P/C ratio. FTIR analysis of the sludge samples indicated that the functional groups associated with the sludge polysaccharides appear to be involved in its interaction with PAC.     

低浓度进水条件下活性污泥的培养方法

进水水质浓度低在我国南方的许多污水处理厂中是个普遍现象。低浓度进水对污水处理厂活性污泥的培养极为不利。介绍了合理投运曝气沉砂池、初沉池,合理控制生化池曝气空气量的分布与强度,合理控制回流比等调控措施,并在污泥培养过程中做好生物相观察。通过这些要点的掌握,在低浓度进水条件下成功培养出了所需要的活性污泥,为保证污水处理厂的正常运行和处理水质达标排放打下了坚实的基础。     

Persistent chemicals in pulp mill effluents: Occurrence and behaviour in an activated sludge treatment plant

In wastewater effluents of a Swiss pulp mill more than 50 organic chemicals were identified including chlorinated phenols, chloroform, chlorinated terpenoids and chlorinated resin acids. Quantitative determinations were carried out to investigate the behaviour of the most abundant constituents during wastewater treatment in an activated sludge process. In particular, the chlorinated compounds were only partly eliminated. The lipophilic chlorinated phenols were physically absorbed to some extent into the activated sludge biomass. The importance of this nonbiological elimination mechanism was evaluated by applying distribution coefficients between activated sludge particles and water which were determined for a series of chlorinated phenols. Chloroform and other purgeable compounds were removed mainly by transfer into the ambient air. The impact of the persistent wastewater constituents on the water quality in the receiving River Aare was assessed. It was estimated that the concentrations of chlorinated phenols in the river caused by the discharge of the treated pulp mill wastewater are about 10 times lower than the levels of pentachlorophenol which typically occur in Swiss rivers receiving effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants.     

The performance enhancements of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors for domestic sludge treatment--a state-of-the-art review

Nowadays, carbon emission and therefore carbon footprint of water utilities is an important issue. In this respect, we should consider the opportunities to reduce carbon footprint for small and large wastewater treatment plants. The use of anaerobic rather than aerobic treatment processes would achieve this aim because no aeration is required and the generation of methane can be used within the plant. High-rate anaerobic digesters receive great interests due to their high loading capacity and low sludge production. Among them, the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors have been most widely used. However, there are still unresolved issues inhibiting the widespread of this technology in developing countries or countries with climate temperature fluctuations (such as subtropical regions). A large number of studies have been carried out in order to enhance the performance of UASB reactors but there is a lack of updated documentation. In face of the existing limitations and the increasing importance of this technology, the authors present an up-to-date review on the performance enhancements of UASB reactors over the last decade. The important aspects of this article are: (i) enhancing the start-up and granulation in UASB reactors, (ii) coupling with post-treatment unit to overcome the temperature constraint, and (iii) improving the removal efficiencies of the organic matter, nutrients and pathogens in the final effluent. Finally the authors have highlighted future research direction based on their critical analysis.     

Thermophilic anaerobic digestion of pulp and paper mill primary sludge and co-digestion of primary and secondary sludge

Anaerobic digestion of pulp and paper mill primary sludge and co-digestion of primary and secondary sludge were studied for the first time in semi-continuously fed continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) in thermophilic conditions. Additionally, in batch experiments, methane potentials of 210 and 230 m³CH₄/t volatile solids (VS)_added were obtained for primary, and 50 and 100 m³CH₄/tVS_added for secondary sludge at 35 °C and 55 °C, respectively. Anaerobic digestion of primary sludge was shown to be feasible with organic loading rates (OLR) of 1-1.4 kgVS/m³d and hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 16-32 d resulting in methane yields of 190-240 m³CH₄/tVS_fed. Also the highest tested OLR of 2 kgVS/m³d and the shortest HRT of 14-16 d could be feasible, if pH stability is confirmed. Co-digestion of primary and secondary sludge with an OLR of 1 kgVS/m³d and HRTs of 25-31 d resulted in methane yields of 150-170 m³CH₄/tVS_fed. In the digestion processes, cellulose and hemicellulose degraded while lignin did not. pH adjustment and nitrogen deficiency needs to be considered when planning anaerobic digestion of pulp and paper mill wastewater sludges.     

Assessing wastewater metal toxicity with bacterial bioluminescence in a bench-scale wastewater treatment system

The effectiveness of a previously developed toxicity monitoring method for activated sludge wastewater treatment employing a bioluminescent bacterium (Shk1) was evaluated in batch experiments and a bench-scale activated sludge system exposed to heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd). Influent wastewater (primary clarifier supernatant) and activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant were used in both batch experiments and in the bench-scale wastewater treatment system. Shk1 bioluminescence was most sensitive to Cd and Zn, followed by Cu, and then Ni in order of decreasing sensitivity. In contrast, activated sludge specific oxygen uptake rate was most sensitive to Cu, followed by Cd and Zn, and finally Ni. The same pattern of sensitivity was observed in batch and bench-scale evaluations. Batch experiments examining the effect of metal adsorption were performed. The adsorption of metals to activated sludge and reduction in bioavailability due to chelation by soluble organics or by precipitation in wastewater was found to be an important effect in mediating differences in toxicity response between bioluminescence and respirometry. Batch adsorption experiments indicated that the activated sludge adsorption capacity was highest for Cu, followed by Cd, Ni, and then Zn. A simple mathematical model for the soluble metal concentration in the aeration basin and clarifier was developed utilizing metal distribution coefficients determined from the batch adsorption experiments. Model predictions compared well with results from the bench-scale activated sludge experiments.     

Pollution loads in urban runoff and sanitary wastewater

While more attention has been paid in recent years to urban point source pollution control through the establishment of wastewater treatment plants in many developing countries, no considerable planning nor any serious measures have been taken to control urban non-point source pollution (urban stormwater runoff). The present study is a screening analysis to investigate the pollution loads in urban runoff compared to point source loads as a first prerequisite for planning and management of receiving water quality. To compare pollutant loads from point and non-point urban sources, the pollutant load is expressed as the weight of pollutant per hectare area per year (kg/ha.year). Unit loads were estimated in stormwater runoff, raw sanitary wastewater and secondary treatment effluents in Isfahan, Iran. Results indicate that the annual pollution load in urban runoff is lower than the annual pollution load in sanitary wastewater in areas with low precipitation but it is higher in areas with high precipitation. Two options, namely, advanced treatment (in lieu of secondary treatment) of sanitary wastewater and urban runoff quality control systems (such as detention ponds) were investigated as controlling systems for pollution discharges into receiving waters. The results revealed that for Isfahan, as a low precipitation urban area, advanced treatment is a more suitable option, but for high precipitation urban areas, urban surface runoff quality control installations were more effective for suspended solids and oxygen-demanding matter controls, and that advanced treatment is the more effective option for nutrient control.     

Effect of plant species on water quality at the outlet of a sludge treatment wetland

Sludge treatment wetlands are mainly used to reduce the volume of activated sludge, and the pollutants at the outlet are generally returned to the wastewater treatment plant. However, in cases where sludges are produced far from treatment plants not only must the sludge be treated, but the discharge of pollutants into the surrounding environment must also be limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of different plant species in optimising pollutant removal in a decentralised sludge treatment wetland. In addition, a new system design was assessed, in which the wetland was not completely drained, and a saturated layer was created using an overflow. The experimental setup consisted of 16 mesocosms in total, planted with monocultures of Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia and Scirpus fluviatilis, and unplanted controls, each in four replicates.The experiment was conducted during the third summer of operation after setup. The system was fed with highly concentrated fish farm sludge at a load of 30 kg of total solids m⁻² yr⁻¹. Results showed that such wetlands were highly efficient, with removal rates between 94% and 99% for most pollutants. Planted systems generally outperformed the unplanted control, with a significantly lower mass of pollutants at the outlet of the sludge treatment wetland planted with Phragmites, followed by those with Typha and then Scirpus. The distinct influence of plant species on pollution removal was explained by the sequestration of nitrogen and phosphorus in plant tissues and by the rhizosphere effect, which enhance the biodegradation of organic matter, allowed the nitrification process and created redox conditions favourable to the sorption of phosphorus. Filtration and evapotranspiration rates played a major role in limiting the discharge of pollutants, and the impact was enhanced by the fact that the sludge treatment wetland was not completely drained.     

Optimum cycle time for intermittent UASB reactors treating dairy wastewater

This work accesses the influence of cycle duration on the intermittent operation of mesophilic UASB reactors inoculated with flocculent sludge and used in dairy wastewater (DWW) treatment. Five cycle lengths ranging from 24 to 144 h were compared for loads between 2.5 and 29.0 gCOD/l/d. COD balances are presented which demonstrate the importance of a feedless period in the conversion to methane of the substrates removed during the feed period. The maximum applicable loads determined for the system were higher for the longer cycle times. The higher conversion to methane of the removed COD was obtained for the 96 h cycle (48 h feed + 48 h feedless) resulting in a more stable operation. The 96 h cycle (48 h feed + 48 h feedless) was considered as the optimum for the treatment of dairy effluents in intermittent UASB reactors. Compared to the maximum applicable loads reported in the literature for continuous systems (3-6 gCOD/l/d) treating dairy effluents the stable operation loads attained with intermittent operation were considerably higher (22 gCOD/l/d).     

Biodegradation of phytosanitary products in biological wastewater treatment

Agricultural activity generates two types of waste: firstly, biodegradable organic effluents generally treated by biological processes and, secondly, phytosanitary effluents which contain residues of plant protection products. The latter are collected and treated. Current technological solutions are essentially based on concentration or physical-chemical processes. However, recent improvements in the biodegradability of pesticides open the way to the consideration of alternative, biological, treatment using mixed liquor from wastewater plant activated sludge. The feasibility of the biological treatment of viticultural effluents has been evaluated by the application of pesticides to activated sludge. The necessity for selection of a pesticide-resistant biomass has been highlighted. The elimination of the phytosanitary products shows the potential of a resistant biomass in the treatment of pesticides. The aerated biological storage ponds at three wineries, followed by a sand or reed-bed filter, were used for the treatment of the total annual volume of the viticulture effluents and validate the laboratory experiments. The results show that the biological purification of pesticides by activated sludge is possible by allowing approximately 8 days for biomass adaptation. Stability of purification occurs between 20 and 30 days.     

Phosphorus removal by acid mine drainage sludge from secondary effluents of municipal wastewater treatment plants

Acid mine drainage (AMD) sludge, a waste product from coal mine water treatment, was used in this study as an adsorbent to develop a cost-effective treatment approach to phosphorus removal from municipal secondary effluents. Batch tests were carried out to study the effects of pH, temperature, concentration, and contact time for phosphorus removal from wastewater. Batch tests were followed by continuous flow tests using a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Adsorption of orthophosphate onto AMD sludge particles followed the Freundlich isotherm model with an adsorption capacity ranging from 9.89 to 31.97 mg/g when the final effluent concentration increased from 0.21 to 13.61 mg P/L. P adsorption was found to be a rather rapid process and neutral or acidic pH enhanced phosphorus removal. Based on a thermodynamic assessment, P adsorption by AMD sludge was found to be endothermic; consequently, an increase in temperature could also favor phosphorus adsorption. Results from batch tests showed that leaching of metals common to AMD sludges was not likely to be a major issue of concern over the typical pH range (6-8) of secondary wastewater effluents. CSTR tests with three types of water (synthetic wastewater, river water, and municipal secondary effluent) illustrated that P adsorption by AMD sludge was relatively independent of the presence of other ionic species. In treating municipal secondary effluent, a phosphorus removal efficiency in excess of 98% was obtained. Results of this study indicated that it was very promising to utilize AMD sludge for phosphorus removal from secondary effluents and may be relevant to future efforts focused on the control of eutrophication in surface waters.