Low temperature anaerobic biotreatment of priority pollutants.
The effect of low operating temperature and pollutant concentration on the performance of five anaerobic hybrid reactors was investigated. Stable and efficient long-term (>400 days) treatment of a cold (6-13 degrees C), volatile fatty acid (VFA)-based, wastewater was achieved at applied organic loading rates (OLRs) of 5 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD) m(-3) d(-1) with COD removal efficiencies c. 84% at 6 degrees C (sludge loading rate (SLR) 1.04-1.46 kg COD kg [VSS](-1) d(-1)). VFA-based wastewaters, containing up to 14 g pentachlorophenol (PCP) m(-3) d(-1) or 155 g toluene m(-3) d(-1) were successfully treated at applied OLRs of 5-7 kg COD m(-3) d(-1). Despite transient declines in reactor performance in response to increasing toxicant loading rates, stable operation (COD removal efficiencies > 90%) and satisfactory toxicant removal efficiencies (>88%) were demonstrated by the systems.
McKeown
R M
RM
Microbial Ecology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Environmental Change Institute, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland. r.mckeown2@nuigalway.ie
Collins
G
G
Chinalia
F A
FA
Mahony
T
T
O'Flaherty
V
V
D000693:Anaerobiosis; D019149:Bioreactors; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D010416:Pentachlorophenol / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D014050:Toluene / Q000378:metabolism*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014050:Toluene; D010416:Pentachlorophenol