TREATING RECALCITRANT INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER: THE ROLE OF TRACE METALS.

摘要

The work presented here demonstrates how trace elements can provide a method forrnestablishing low effluent COD concentrations and removing recalcitrant constituentsrnfrom industrial wastewaters. The research focuses on the impact of trace metalrnsupplementation to industrial waste in terms of the performance of activated sludgernreactors treating a high-strength, recalcitrant effluent. A four-lane activated sludgerntesting facility fed with industrial wastewater (COD:BOD ratio 4:1; COD 2000 mg/l andrnBOD 500 mg/l) was employed to implement a multivariable experimental design in orderrnto ascertain the optimal trade element type and level of macronutrient availability.rnSupplements of a wide range of micronutrients were supplied to the reactors, andrntheir ability to improve the biodegradation of the wastewater was assessed in terms ofrnBOD and COD. Retention of biomass in the reactors was increased in all cases, inrnexcess of 100% with specific trace metals. Improvements in the degradation of CODrnwere observed while BOD degradation was not affected. This implies the use ofrnrecalcitrant substrate components as a food source. The analysis includes how therndegradation process is influenced by the micronutrients, highlighting the combinedrneffects of biomass improvement and COD removal. Results from this studyrndemonstrate significant improvements in the process?ability to biodegrade recalcitrantrnCOD.