Anaerobic biological treatment of phenolic wastewater at 15-18 degrees C.
Low-temperature, or psychrophilic (<20 degrees C) anaerobic digestion has been proven feasible for the mineralisation of simple wastewaters. In this study, hybrid expanded granular sludge bed-anaerobic filter (EGSB-AF) bioreactors were used to evaluate the feasibility of psychrophilic digestion for the treatment of phenol-containing wastewater. Efficient chemical oxygen demand and phenol removal were observed at organic and phenol loading rates of 5 kg COD m(-3)d(-1) and 0.4-1.2 kg phenol m(-3)d(-1) (400-1200 mg phenol [l wastewater](-1)), respectively. There was no long-term accumulation of volatile fatty acids in the reactor systems. Methanogenic activity was developed under psychrophilic conditions but anaerobic methane-producing populations remained mesophilic throughout the trial of 415 days.
Collins
Gavin
G
Microbial Ecology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Environmental Change Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Foy
Clare
C
McHugh
Sharon
S
Mahony
Thérèse
T
O'Flaherty
Vincent
V
D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000502:physiology*; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism
D010636:Phenols; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical