Treatment of wastewater from synthetic textile industry by electrocoagulation–electrooxidation

Treatment of wastewater from a textile industry that produces synthetic polyester cloths was studied employing electrochemical techniques. The sample was initially subjected to electrocoagulation to remove suspended solids. Mild steel and aluminum electrodes were tried as anodes; and aluminum was found to be effective for the removal of suspended solids. Using aluminum as anode, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration of the effluent which was initially at the level of 1316 mg L⁻¹ could be reduced to 429 mg L⁻¹ by electrocoagulation. After electrocoagulation, the effluent was further subjected to electrooxidation using graphite and RuO₂/IrO₂/TaO₂ coated titanium as anodes. During the electrooxidation tests, both COD and chloride ion were simultaneously estimated; and the effect of Cl⁻ ion is discussed. The measurements have revealed the depletion of Cl⁻ ion concentration implying the generation of free chlorine during electrooxidation. The depletion of Cl⁻ ion concentration and the COD removal were observed to be comparatively high in the presence of graphite electrode. The effects of electrode materials and current density on COD removal are discussed. The instantaneous current efficiency (ICE), mass transfer coefficient and energy consumption were estimated.     

Nickel inhibition of calcium precipitation by ureolytic mixed microorganisms under batch conditions

The respirometric assessment of the inhibitory impact of Ni(II) on substrate utilization and microbial carbonate precipitation (MCP) by ureolytic mixed microorganisms was investigated with a glucose containing mineral medium under batch conditions over an incubation period of 134 h. The IC₂₅ was determined as 224 mg Ni(II) L⁻¹ from the BOD values of samples. The interpretation of kinetic data showed that the substrate removal rate fitted a zero-order at the beginning of the incubation period and first-order during the last period, for a range of Ni(II) concentrations between 0 and 512 mg L⁻¹. Increasing Ni(II) concentrations from 0 to 512 mg L⁻¹ reduced the substrate degradation rate constant from 10.8 to 5.3 mg L⁻¹ h⁻¹ for zero-order rate constant (k₀), and from 0.015 to 0.002 h⁻¹ for first-order rate constant (k₁). The zero- and first-order reaction rates during incubation period were equalized to the reaction rate of the Monod equation in order to determine the kinetic constants, half saturation concentration (K_S) and maximum substrate removal rate (R_max). BOD removal rate was inhibited accordingly to mixed inhibition model with increasing Ni(II) concentrations during the calcification process. Also, the inhibition of calcium precipitation was observed at a higher Ni(II) concentration because of inhibition of ammonium production in these samples.     

Removal of nitrogen from wastewater for reusing to boiler feed-water by an anaerobic/aerobic/membrane bioreactor

The innovative process anaerobic/aerobic/membrane bioreactor (A/O/MBR) was developed to enhance pre-denitrification without the energy consumption of the recirculation pump for reusing wastewater to boiler feed-water. The performance of this bioreactor was investigated. Firstly, the septic tank wastewater with low ratio of COD/TN was disposed by a dynamic membrane bioreactor (DMBR). It was found that, although the high concentration of NO₂⁻–N in the effluent implied the potential ability of DMBR to realize shortcut nitrification and denitrification, the effluent of single DMBR was difficult to reach the criteria of reusing to boiler feed-water. Then, the process A/O/DMBR in disposing the septic tank wastewater was studied. The results indicated that this process not only accomplished the removal of 91.5% COD, 90.3% NH₄⁺–N and 60.2% TN, but also successfully realized pre-denitrification without additional recirculation pump. At last, based on the A/O/DMBR, a pilot plant A/O/MBR was built to dispose the municipal raw sewage. In the stable operation period, the average removal efficiencies for COD, NH₄⁺–N, TP and turbidity reached 90%, 95%, 70% and 99%, respectively. During the tested HRT run of 9.0 h, the effluent of COD, NH₄⁺–N, TP and turbidity was about 10 mg/L, 3 mg/L, below 1 mg/L and 1.2 NTU, respectively, which reached the criteria of the boiler feed-water in China.     

Conversion of benzoic acid during TiO2-mediated photocatalytic degradation in water

The photocatalytic degradation of benzoic acid in water over Degussa P-25 TiO₂ suspensions was studied. UVA irradiation at 365 nm was supplied by a medium pressure mercury lamp providing 25 mW cm⁻² light intensity. Experiments were conducted at benzoic acid initial concentrations between 25 and 150 mg L⁻¹, catalyst loadings between 0.2 and 1 g L⁻¹ and initial solution pH values between 2 and 10.6. Conversion increased with increasing catalyst loading up to about 0.6 g L⁻¹ and it was favored at alkaline or neutral conditions but impeded at extremely acidic conditions. Increasing initial substrate concentration led to decreased benzoic acid conversion, which was found to follow a Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic expression. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to follow benzoic acid concentration profiles as well as to identify reaction by-products, while chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) analyses were carried out to assess the extent of mineralization. Benzoic acid hydroxylation by-products, namely 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids as well as phenol were identified as reaction intermediates, although these contributed only a small fraction of the residual organic content. Although benzoic acid at 50 mg L⁻¹ was not ecotoxic to marine photobacteria Vibrio fischeri, its photodegraded solution exhibited substantial toxicity, which, however, proved not to be due to the identified intermediates.     

Bacterial inactivation and organic oxidation via immobilized photo-Fenton reagent on structured silica surfaces

A woven inorganic silica fabric loaded with Fe-ions (EGF-Fe) was tested under simulated solar light during hydroquinone degradation. The abatement of hydroquinone was observed to attain about 80% within 3 h. The photo-catalyst was also tested to inactive Escherichia coli K12 at “natural” pH and in the presence of a low concentration of H₂O₂. Addition of H₂O₂ (10 mg L⁻¹) did not by itself to bacterial inactivation. Total bacterial inactivation was mediated by EGF-Fe fabrics in the presence of H₂O₂ (10 mg L⁻¹) under solar light irradiation. A sample containing active (culturable) bacteria (10⁵ CFU mL⁻¹) decreased to values <1 CFU mL⁻¹ within 3 h reaction. Fe-mediated homogeneous process decreased the bacterial CFU content by about two orders of magnitude within 4 h. During the degradation of hydroquinone only a small amount of iron ions were found in solution of about 1.2 mg L⁻¹, within 90 min decreasing to values ≤0.5 mg L⁻¹ after 180 min. The leaching of Fe-ions did not affect the photo-catalyst performance since EGF-Fe fabric did not deactivate after five or more cycles. The Fe-ions founds in solution mineralized hydroquinone to levels below 37% of its initial content. The present study presents the first report on the beneficial role of a heterogeneous iron supported catalyst leading to efficient bacterial inactivation in aqueous solution with iron leaching <0.1 mg L⁻¹, the detection limit for Fe-analysis in solution. No bacterial re-growth was observed during a post-irradiation period up to 24 h in the dark.     

Solvent impregnated resins for the removal of low concentration phenol from water

The focus of this investigation is the development of a solvent impregnated resin for phenol removal from dilute aqueous solutions. Using a solvent impregnated resin (SIR) eliminates the problem of emulsification encountered in liquid–liquid extraction. Impregnated MPP particles and impregnated XAD16 particles are successfully used for phenol extraction. Impregnated MPP particles are preferred, as impregnated XAD16 particles show less mechanical strength and are more expensive. Impregnated MPP particles perform better compared to other synthetic adsorbents and basic ion exchangers. The maximum phenol capacity of impregnated MPP particles with 0.99 mol Cyanex 923 kg⁻¹ SIR is 4.1 mol kg⁻¹ SIR (386 mg g⁻¹ SIR) and of MPP particles containing 1.47 mol Cyanex 923 kg⁻¹ SIR it is 5.08 mol kg⁻¹ SIR (478 mg g⁻¹ SIR). The regenerability of impregnated MPP particles is easy and complete, and the particles are stable during several cycles. The equilibrium constants for the extraction of phenol are determined as K_chem = 37 L mol⁻¹ and K_phys = 18 (mol L⁻¹) (mol L⁻¹)⁻¹. With these values the SIR isotherms can be satisfactorily described.The results indicate that SIR technology is a promising alternative for the conventional phenol removal technologies at low phenol concentration levels.     

Extraction and separation of Pt(IV)/Rh(III) from acidic chloride solutions using Aliquat 336

Extraction and separation of Pt(IV)/Rh(III) from chloride solutions using Aliquat 336 (Quaternary ammonium salt made by the methylation of mixed tri octyl/decyl amine) diluted in kerosene as an extractant/synergist alone and mixed with organophosphorous extractants as synergists/extractants were carried out from an aqueous feed containing 0.0005 mol L⁻¹ Pt(IV)/Rh(III).Variation of hydrochloric acid concentration of aqueous phase from 0.005 to 10.0 mol L⁻¹ increased the percentage extraction of platinum up to 5.0 mol L⁻¹ there after it decreases. Whereas in the case of rhodium, from 0.005 to 1.0 mol L⁻¹ acid range the percentage extraction was decreased from 1.0 to 10.0 mol L⁻¹ acid range is favorable for extraction. Platinum(IV)/rhodium(III) separation factor of 279.2 was obtained at 1.0 mol L⁻¹ HCl concentration with 0.005 mol L⁻¹ Aliquat 336 and separation factor of 612.3 was obtained at 3.0 mol L⁻¹ HCl concentration with 0.01 mol L⁻¹ Aliquat 336. The present study optimized the various experimental parameters like phase contact time, effect of extractant, salts, temperature, loading capacity of extractant, stripping studies with various mineral acids/bases, recycling and reusing capacity of extractant up to ten cycles.     

Effect of the sulfide concentration on zinc bio-precipitation in a single stage sulfidogenic bioreactor at pH 5.5

Dissolved zinc is present in natural waters and process streams generated by the mining and metallurgical industry. These streams usually have a low pH. By using sulfate reducing bacteria, sulfide can be produced that precipitates with zinc as zinc sulfide (sphalerite), which can be easily separated from the wastewater and even reused as zinc concentrate. In this study, a sulfate reducing gas-lift bioreactor was operated at pH 5.5 using hydrogen as electron donor for sulfate reduction. We demonstrate effective zinc removal (7.2 mmol L⁻¹ d⁻¹) with low zinc effluent concentrations (0.65–8.8 μM) in a system combining sulfide generation by sulfate reducing bacteria (7.2–10.6 mmol SO₄²⁻ L⁻¹ d⁻¹) at low pH (5.5) with the bio-precipitation of crystalline sphalerite. To investigate the effect of the sulfide excess on the settling properties of the sphalerite precipitates, the sulfide excess concentration was varied about two orders of magnitude (0.008–2.2 mM). The results show that crystalline sphalerite was formed in all cases, but larger particles with better settling properties were formed at lower sulfide concentrations.     

钠盐浓度对厌氧产氢颗粒污泥从蔗糖中产氢的影响

This work evaluated the effects of sodium ion concentration, ranging from 0 to 16000mg·L-1(Na ), on the conversion of sucrose to hydrogen by a high-activity anaerobic hydrogen-producing granular sludge. At the optimum sodium ion concentration [1000-2000mg·L-1(Na )] for hydrogen production at 37℃, the maximum sucrose degradation rate, the specific hydrogen production yield and the specific hydrogen production rate were 393.6-413.1mg·L-1·h-1, 28.04-28.97ml·g-1, 7.52-7.83ml·g-1·h-1, respectively. The specific production yields of propionate, butyrate and valerate decreased, with increasing sodium ion concentration, whereas the specific acetate production yield increased, meanwhile the specific production yields of ethanol and caproate were less than 55.3 and 12.6mg·g-1, respectively. The hybrid fermentation composition gradually developed from acetate, propionate and butyrate to acetate with the increase in sodium ion concentration.     

In situ activated 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid covalent attached to nanostructured platform for NADH electrooxidation

The activation of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (3,5-DNBA) in situ is proposed for electrocatalytic detection of NADH at low overpotentials. Thus, 3,5-DNBA was strategically connected to a nanostructured surface based on MWCNTs and PEI (an amine rich polymer). Then, R–NO/R–NHOH was electrogenerated in situ by cycling the potential between 0.15 and −0.55 V versus SCE. The formation of an intermediate charge transfer complex is proposed for the reaction between NADH and redox mediator. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K_M) obtained by RDE voltammetry and amperometry was in good agreement, around 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹. The k_obs for the catalytic reaction evaluated by chronoamperometry and RDE voltammetry, was in good agreement and was found to be around 10⁴ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The sensor provides a linear response range for NADH from 4.0 up to 42.0 μmol L⁻¹ with a sensitivity of 71 nA L μmol⁻¹, detection and quantification limits of 1.2 and 4.0 μmol L⁻¹ respectively, with a response time of 0.16 s.     

The effect of COD/N ratio on process performance and membrane fouling in a submerged bioreactor

Influent chemical oxygen demand/nitrogen (COD/N) ratio is used to control fouling in membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems. However, COD/N also affects the physicochemical and biological properties of MBR biomass. The current study examined the relationship between COD/N ratio in feed wastewater and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production in MBRs. Two identical submerged MBRs with different COD/N ratios of 10:1 and 5:1 were operated in parallel. The cation concentration and floc-size of the sludge were measured. The composition and characteristics of bound EPS and soluble microbial products (SMP) under each COD/N ratio were also examined. Batch tests were conducted in 1000 mL bottles to study the process of the release of foulants from the sludge when 1 g of (NH₄⁺-N)/L was added. Results showed that the influent COD/N ratio could change the physicochemical properties of EPS and SMP. Moreover, excessive NH₄⁺ in the supernatant could facilitate the role of NH₄⁺ as a monovalent cation, the replacement of the polyvalent cation in bound EPS, and even the extraction of EPS components from the surface of the sludge to form new SMP.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) carbon paste Er(III) sensor based on a new derivative of dansyl chloride

Solution studies showed the strong interaction of [5-(dimethylamino) naphthalene-1-sulfonyl 4-phenylsemicarbazide] (NSP) with Er(III) ions. NSP was used as a sensing material during construction of carbon paste Er(III) sensors. The electrodes were modified with 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmim]BF₄, as room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). Potentiometric sensors constructed with [bmim]BF₄ and MWCNTs show better sensitivity, selectivity, response time, and response stability compared to Er(III) carbon paste sensors. The best performance for the modified sensor was obtained with an electrode composition of 20% [bmim]BF₄, 20% NSP, 45% graphite powder and 15% MWCNT. This particular sensor formulation exhibits a Nernstian response (19.8 ± 0.3 mV decade⁻¹) toward Er(III) ions in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The proposed modified Er(III) sensor can be used over the pH range from 3.5 to 9.0.     

葡萄糖及磷酸盐对刺糖多孢菌多杀菌素发酵的影响

The effects of glucose and inorganic phosphate on mycelium growth and spinosad production with Saccharopolyspora spinosa were studied. The results showed that the increase of glucose concentration from 18.6g·L-1 to 58.8g·L-1 could promote the mycelium growth and spinosad production. And when the glucose concentration increased from 58.8g·L-1 to 79.6g·L-1, no obvious change was detected but a slight drop in spinosad production was observed, whereas, when the glucose concentration increased from 79.6g·L-1 to l15.3g·L-1, substantial decrease in both mycelium growth and spinosad production occurred. The increase of phosphate conccntration from 3.68mmol· L-1 to 29.41mmol·L-1 rendered corresponding increase in mycelium growth and spinosad production. When phosphate concentration increased from 29.41mmol· L-1 to 44.12mmol·L-1, mycelium growth slightly increased and spinosad production dropped, while when phosphate concentration increased from44.12mmol·L-1 to 57.62mmol·L-1, both mycelium growth and spinosad production decreased sharply. Conclusively,the optimal initial concentration of glucose and phosphate is 58.8g·L-1 and 29.41mmol·L-1, respectively. The spinosad fermentation in the production medium containing 58.8g·L-1 glucose and 29.41mmol·L-1 phosphate was scaled up in 5-L fermentation and the spinosad production reached 507mg·L-1, which was 28% higher than that in the flask fermentation.     

Application of silica gel as an effective modifier for the voltammetric determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid and uric acid

Amorphous silica gel modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) offers substantial improvements in voltammetric sensitivity and selectivity towards determination of dopamine (DA). Cyclic voltammetry of Fe(CN)₆^3−/4− as a negatively charged probe revealed that the surface of the silica gel modified carbon paste electrode had a high density of negative charge at pH 8.0. Therefore, the modified electrode adsorbed DA (pK_a = 8.9) and enhanced its voltammetric response while repulsed ascorbic acid (AA) (pK_a = 4.2) and uric acid (UA) (pK_a = 5.4) and inhibited their interfering effects. The influence of various experimental parameters including percent of silica gel in the CPE, pH of solution, and accumulation time and potentials, on the voltammetric response of DA was investigated. At the optimum conditions, the analytical curve was linear for dopamine concentrations from 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit (3σ) of 4.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The prepared electrode was used for determination of DA spiked into DA injection and human serum samples, and very good recovery results were obtained over a wide concentration range of DA.     

Electrochemical diamond sensors for TNT detection in water

An electrochemically stabilized boron doped diamond electrode prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) is used for electrochemical TNT sensing in aqueous solutions. Square wave voltammograms (SWVs) exhibit three highly resolved peaks at −0.47, −0.62 and −0.76 V vs. Ag–AgCl reference electrode, respectively. The current vs. TNT concentration plot shows a linear relationship with a same slope for the two first TNT peaks at μg L⁻¹ and mg L⁻¹ concentration ranges. Detection and quantification limits of 10 and 25 μg L⁻¹, respectively, were obtained without any preconcentration step. Relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 1% measured over 10 runs has been found for the −0.47 V peak current showing the very high stability of the electrode without any significant fouling effect. An interference study with nitro aromatic compounds of the same family (nitro toluene and dinitrotoluene) has shown that the −0.47 V reduction peak enables TNT discrimination. Measurement of TNT in a natural medium (sea water without any purification step except filtering) has been also investigated.     

DSA electrochemical treatment of olive mill wastewater on Ti/RuO<Subscript>2</Subscript> anode

The electrochemical oxidation of olive mill wastewater (OMW) over a Ti/RuO₂ anode was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis and compared with previous results over a Ti/IrO₂ anode. Experiments were conducted at 300–1,220 mg L⁻¹ initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations, 0.05–1.35 V versus SHE and 1.39–1.48 V versus SHE potential windows, 15–50 mA cm⁻² current densities, 0–20 mM NaCl, Na₂SO₄, or FeCl₃ concentrations, 80 °C temperature, and acidic conditions. Partial and total oxidation reactions occur with the overall rate being near first-order kinetics with respect to COD. Oxidation at 28 Ah L⁻¹ and 50 mA cm⁻² leads to quite high color and phenols removal (86 and 84%, respectively), elimination of ecotoxicity, and a satisfactory COD and total organic carbon reduction (52 and 38%, respectively). Similar performance can be achieved at the same charge (28 Ah L⁻¹) using lower current densities (15 mA cm⁻²) but in the presence of various salts. For example, COD removal is less than 7% at 28 Ah L⁻¹ in a salt-free sample, while addition of 20 mM NaCl results in 54% COD reduction. Decolorization of OMW using Ti/RuO₂ anode seems to be independent of the presence of salts in contrast with Ti/IrO₂ where addition of NaCl has a beneficial effect on decolorization.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of two novel 2D coordination polymers [PbCl(atza)]n and [PbCl(a4-ptz)]n

Reactions of Katza (atza⁻ = 5-aminotetrazole-1-acetato) or Ka4-ptz (a4-ptz⁻ = 5-[N-acetato(4-pyridyl)]tetrazole) with PbCl₂in aqueous solution, produced two new Pb(II) compounds, [PbCl(atza)]_n (1) and [PbCl(a4-ptz)]_n (2). Both compounds were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1 or 2, the Pb(II) centers are connected through the atza⁻ or a4-ptz⁻ bridging ligand to form a two-dimensional layered structure. The luminescence properties of 1 and 2 were investigated at room temperature in the solid state.     

Selective precipitation of cadmium from nickel cadmium sulphate solutions using sodium decanoate

Each year in France, about 1300 tons of spent Ni–Cd batteries are collected. Their treatment consists of crushing, physical separation, acidic leaching of electrode materials, separation and recovery of metals leached with different processes. In this work, the selective precipitation of cadmium in synthetic Ni–Cd mixtures was investigated using sodium decanoate as precipitant. A factorial design of experiments was used to improve the separation using variables such as cadmium concentration, pH, molar ratio between decanoate and cadmium, time of addition of precipitant and rest time of the solution. In the best conditions defined by a 2⁵⁻² fractional factorial design, starting with concentrations of 0.1 mol L⁻¹ of nickel (5.9 g L⁻¹) and 0.05–0.15 mol L⁻¹ of cadmium (5.6–16.8 g L⁻¹) it is possible to recover in only one stage about 99% of cadmium without precipitating more than 5% of nickel. The results of the separation are on one side a pure solution of nickel at 2.39 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ (1.4 g L⁻¹) containing 3.44 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ of cadmium (about 40 mg L⁻¹) and on the other side a precipitate of cadmium decanoate with a cadmium content equal to 23.6 wt% and nickel content lower than 0.8 wt%. These results demonstrated the viability of this separation.     

Adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics study for the self-assembly of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatocobalt(II) on glassy carbon surface

Spontaneous adsorption of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatocobalt(II) (4α-Co^IITAPc) on glassy carbon (GC) electrode leads to the formation of a stable self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Since the SAM of 4α-Co^IITAPc is redox active, its adsorption on GC electrode was followed by cyclic voltammetry. SAM of 4α-Co^IITAPc on GC electrode shows two pairs of well-defined redox peaks corresponding to Co^III/Co^II and Co^IIIPc⁻¹/Co^IIIPc⁻². The surface coverage (Γ) value, calculated by integrating the charge under Co^II oxidation, was used to study the adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics of 4α-Co^IITAPc on GC surface. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that the adsorption of 4α-Co^IITAPc on GC electrode has reached the saturation coverage (Γ_s) within 3 h. The Γ_s value for the SAM of 4α-Co^IITAPc on GC electrode was found to be 2.37 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻². Gibbs free energy (ΔG_ads) and adsorption rate constant (k_ad) for the adsorption of 4α-Co^IITAPc on GC surface were found to be −16.76 kJ mol⁻¹ and 7.1 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The possible mechanism for the self-assembly of 4α-Co^IITAPc on GC surface is through the addition of nucleophilic amines to the olefinic bond on the GC surface in addition to a meager contribution from π stacking. The contribution of π stacking was confirmed from the adsorption of unsubstituted phthalocyanatocobalt(II) (CoPc) on GC electrode. Raman spectra for the SAM of 4α-Co^IITAPc on carbon surface shows strong stretching and breathing bands of Pc macrocycle, pyrrole ring and isoindole ring. Raman and CV studies suggest that 4α-Co^IITAPc is adopting nearly a flat orientation or little bit tilted orientation.     

Batch treatment of saline wastewater by Halanaerobium lacusrosei in an anaerobic packed bed reactor

BACKGROUND: This study considers batch treatment of saline wastewater in an upflow anaerobic packed bed reactor by salt tolerant anaerobic organisms Halanaerobium lacusrosei . RESULTS: The effects of initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration (COD₀ = 1880–9570 mg L^?1), salt concentration ([NaCl] = 30–100 g L^?1) and liquid upflow velocity (V_up = 1.0–8.5 m h^?1) on COD removal from salt (NaCl)‐containing synthetic wastewater were investigated. The results indicated that initial COD concentration significantly affects the effluent COD concentration and removal efficiency. COD removal was around 87% at about COD₀ = 1880 mg L^?1, and efficiency decreased to 43% on increasing COD₀ to 9570 mg L^?1 at 20 g L^?1 salt concentration. COD removal was in the range 50–60% for [NaCl] = 30–60 g L^?1 at COD₀ = 5200 ± .100 mg L^?1. However, removal efficiency dropped to 10% when salt concentration was increased to 100 g L^?1. Increasing liquid upflow velocity from V_up = 1.0 m h^?1 to 8.5 m h^?1 provided a substantial improvement in COD removal. COD concentration decreased from 4343 mg L^?1 to 321 mg L^?1 at V_up = 8.5 m h^?1, resulting in over 92% COD removal at 30 g L^?1 salt‐containing synthetic wastewater. CONCLUSION: The experimental results showed that anaerobic treatment of saline wastewater is possible and could result in efficient COD removal by the utilization of halophilic anaerobic bacteria. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry