Optimization of biological wastewater treatment conditions for 1,4-dioxane decomposition in polyester manufacturing processes

摘要

The solvent stabilizer 1,4-dioxane could have harmful effects on an ecosystem. The dischargenlimit of 1,4-dioxane in a body of water will be regulated at 5 mg/L in Republic of Korea.nThus, the currently operating activated sludge used in the manufacture of polyester should benproperly treated to meet the regulations. Accordingly, the removal rate of 1,4-dioxane and itsnmicrobial properties was assessed at K, H and T corporations. The highest removal efficienciesnwere recorded at H. However, the concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the effluent of T exceedednthe criterion. In addition, a microbial degradation test was conducted on 100 mg/L of 1,4-dioxaneninoculated with the activated sludge from each of the three corporations. After 7 days, then1,4-dioxane was completely removed with the H sludge and efficiencies were 67% in the T sludgenand 52% in the K sludge. These results confirm that the biodegradability of 1,4-dioxane may varynin relation to the microbial properties. The microbial diversity of activated sludge of eachncompany was therefore investigated by 16S rDNA cloning methods. In conclusion, the activatednsludge of H is the most effective for the biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane. This fact is of significantnconcern for the industrial sector.