International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE)

Anaerobic biodegradation of ethylene dichloride in an anaerobic sequential batch reactor

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of HSE, Bandar Imam Petrochemical Industries, Khouzestan, Iran

2 Environment Research Center; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, IUMS, Isfahan, Iran

3 School of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

4 Environment Research Center; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, IUMS, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Aims: The efficiency of an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) in ethylene dichloride ( EDC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal at different operational conditions was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Biological EDC and COD removal was studied in a laboratory scale ASBR. The ASBR was seeded at the start-up with granular anaerobic sludge of sugarcane industry and operated at different organic loading rates (OLR), EDC loading rates, and influent concentration of COD and EDC. Results: During start-up period, COD removal efficiencies of above 80% were selected for reactor adaptation to achieve steady state during 48 days of operation. Maximum COD removal efficiency was 95% with an influent COD concentration of 1700 mg/L at 0.5 gCOD/L.d, and the efficiency rapidly dropped with increasing influent COD concentrations and OLR. When the EDC loading rate was adjusted between 0.6 to 4.7 gCOD/L.d, the EDC removal efficiencies were 95% and 46%, respectively, with influent EDC concentrations of 2000 and 16000 mg/L at the end of EDC loading stage. The kinetic study showed that the EDC and COD removal by ASBR followed the second order kinetic. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, the ASBR process is successfully applicable for biodegradation of the COD and EDC (>90%) in wastewater treatment. The kinetic study showed that, at same time, ASBR capable to removing COD rather than EDC.

Keywords

International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering (IJEHE)
Volume 1, August
August 2012
Pages 1-7
  • Receive Date: 05 February 2023
  • Accept Date: 05 February 2023