title: Application of response surface methodology (RSM) for optimisation of COD, NH3-N and 2,4-DCP removal from recycled paper wastewater in a pilot-scale granular activated carbon sequencing batch biofilm reactor (GAC-SBBR).
abstract: In this study, the potential of a pilot-scale granular activated carbon sequencing batch biofilm reactor (GAC-SBBR) for removing chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from recycled paper wastewater was assessed. For this purpose, the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed, using a central composite face-centred design (CCFD), to optimise three of the most important operating variables, i.e., hydraulic retention time (HRT), aeration rate (AR) and influent feed concentration (IFC), in the pilot-scale GAC-SBBR process for recycled paper wastewater treatment. Quadratic models were developed for the response variables, i.e., COD, NH3-N and 2,4-DCP removal, based on the high value (>0.9) of the coefficient of determination (R(2)) obtained from the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal conditions were established at 750 mg COD/L IFC, 3.2 m(3)/min AR and 1 day HRT, corresponding to predicted COD, NH3-N and 2,4-DCP removal percentages of 94.8, 100 and 80.9%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. ir_din84@yahoo.com.my
authors.forename: Mohd Hafizuddin
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Muhamad
authors.forename: Siti Rozaimah
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sheikh Abdullah
authors.forename: Abu Bakar
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Mohamad
authors.forename: Rakmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abdul Rahman
authors.forename: Abdul Amir
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hasan Kadhum
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D019149:Bioreactors; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010209:Paper; D010865:Pilot Projects; D059027:Recycling; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002606:Charcoal; D002733:Chlorophenols; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds; D062065:Wastewater; C004762:2,4-dichlorophenol