Degradation of mixture of phenolic compounds by activated sludge processes using mixed consortia

This study describes the feasibility of aerobic treatment of wastewater having mixed Phenolic compounds (phenol, 2-4dinitrophenol, 2-4dichlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, 4-nitrophenol) by using 9L lab scale Activated Sludge Process (ASP) at HRTs (Hydraulic Retention Time) varying between 3.0 ,2.5, 2.0, 1.5 and 1 day. Continuous monitoring of parameters like pH, Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), Chemical Oxidation Demand (COD) , compound reduction is used to asses the treatment efficiency of ASP. The highest percentage COD removal and percentage compound reduction of 98% and 99.3% of phenol was observed at 3.0 d HRT respectively. After treatment pollutants are removed in the order of phenol > 4chlorophenol (4CP) > 4nitrophenol (4NP) > 2-4dichlorophenol (2-4DCP) > 2-4 dinitrophenol (2,4DNP). The dissolved oxygen concentration and pH in the activated sludge reactor was found to be 1-3 mg/L and 7-8 respectively. The optimum biomass concentration was 2500-3000 mg/L, whereas the corresponding SVI was found to be around 70mL/g. The morphological characterization of aerobic granules was carried out by using SEM. Thus the results obtained indicate that ASP could be used efficiently for the treatment of wastewater containing mixed phenols. Copyright © 2011 International Energy and Environment Foundation All rights reserved.

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