title: Performance evaluation of pilot scale sulfur-oxidizing denitrification for treatment of metal plating wastewater.
abstract: A full-scale and two pilot-scale upflow sulfur-oxidizing denitrification (SOD) columns were evaluated using metal plating wastewater as feed. The sludge was autotrophically enriched, and inoculated in the SOD columns attached to the effluent line of three metal plating wastewater treatment facilities. The effects of activated carbon and aeration were also studied, and found effective for the removal of suspended solids and ammonia, respectively. The results showed that the constituents, such as the total nitrogen, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and heavy metals, were effectively removed. The pH was observed to be maintained at 7-8 due to the alkalinity supplied by the sulfur-calcium carbonate (SC) pellet. The denitrification efficiency and start-up period were observed to be affected by the influent quality. Chromium, iron, nickel, copper, and zinc--the major heavy metal components of the influent--were effectively reduced at certain concentrations. Other metal ions were also detected and reduced to undetectable concentrations, but no trends in the comparison with denitrification were observed. From the results it can be concluded that SOD is effective for the removal of nitrogen, particularly nitrates, without a drastic pH change, and can effectively remove minute concentrations of heavy metals and COD in metal plating wastewaters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Myong-Ji University, Yongin, South Korea.
authors.forename: Angel S P
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: Eun-Mi
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Gwon
authors.forename: Dong-Min
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nisola
authors.forename: Melvin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Galera
authors.forename: Seung-Se
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chon
authors.forename: Wook-Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Dae-Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.forename: Zou Sam
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria; D004595:Electroplating; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009566:Nitrates; D014873:Water Pollutants; D013455:Sulfur; D009584:Nitrogen