Bench Testing of 1,4-Dioxane Treatment in Industrial Wastewater by Biofiltration, an Innovative and Inexpensive Alternative to Advanced Oxidation

摘要

1,4-dioxane is an emerging contaminant frequently detected in drinking water and wastewater, particularly in industrial wastewater from certain industries (e.g., PET plastic manufacturing and textile industry). Due to its properties, 1,4-dioxane is not removed by most water and wastewater treatment processes. Wastewater agencies in several regions in the US are beginning to restrict 1,4-dioxane in wastewater discharges. For these industries, pretreatment options are currently limited to advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). However, AOP systems are complex and expensive to install and operate, and the other parameters (COD, color, TSS, etc.) present in these industrial wastewaters often interfere with the AOP treatment. Biofiltration can potentially provide a simpler, affordable, yet effective alternative to AOPs. This paper presents the results of a two-year bench study of 1,4-dioxane removal by biofiltration. Effects of operating conditions, including biofiltration media, EBCT, and addition of a supplemental substrate were evaluated.