Pilot-scale removal of chromium from industrial wastewater using the ChromeBac system.
The enzymatic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by Cr(VI) resistant bacteria followed by chemical precipitation constitutes the ChromeBac system. Acinetobacter haemolyticus was immobilized onto carrier material inside a 0.2m(3) bioreactor. Neutralized electroplating wastewater with Cr(VI) concentration of 17-81 mg L(-1) was fed into the bioreactor (0.11-0.33 m(3)h(-1)). Complete Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) was obtained immediately after the start of bioreactor operation. Together with the flocculation, coagulation and filtration, outflow concentration of less than 0.02 mg Cr(VI)L(-1) and 1mg total CrL(-1) were always obtained. Performance of the bioreactor was not affected by fluctuations in pH (6.2-8.4), Cr(VI) (17-81 mg L(-1)), nutrient (liquid pineapple waste, 1-20%v/v) and temperature (30-38 degrees C). Standby periods of up to 10 days can be tolerated without loss in activity. A robust yet effective biotechnology to remove chromium from wastewater is thus demonstrated.
Ahmad
Wan Azlina
WA
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Zakaria
Zainul Akmar
ZA
Khasim
Ali Reza
AR
Alias
Muhamad Anuar
MA
Ismail
Shaik Muhammad Hasbullah Shaik
SM
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D002857:Chromium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005374:Filtration; D005427:Flocculation; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002857:Chromium