Pathogen Re-Growth in UASB Effluent Disinfected By UV,O3, H2O2, and Advanced Oxidation Processes

Disinfection of anaerobically treated effluent (UASB) was carried out to eliminate the enteric pathogens by using UV irradiation, peracetic acid, H₂O₂, O₃ and advanced oxidation processes (O₃/H₂O₂, O₃/UV and H₂O₂/UV). Re-growth potential of these pathogens was monitored in terms of time and temperature. Inactivation of pathogens by ozone at the rate of 300 mg/h for 20 minutes approached 99%. UV irradiation resulted in 99% pathogen removal at irradiation time of 120 seconds. A dose of 170 mg/L H₂O₂ eliminated more than 99% pathogens. Samples disinfected with UV, H₂O₂ and O₃ showed gradual re-growth with an increase in time and temperature (from 20 to 35°C). However, disinfection with AOPs proved to be the most effective tool resulting in reduction of treatment time taken by individual processes, also the disinfected samples showed minimal re-growth revealing the superiority of their combined effects.