Biological treatment of para-chlorophenol containing synthetic wastewater using rotating brush biofilm reactor

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 135; no. 1; pp. 365 - 371
• Main Authors: Eker, Serkan, Kargi, Fikret
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 31.07.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: 4-Chlorophenol (4-CP); Applied sciences; Biofilms; Bioreactors; Chlorophenols - chemistry; Chlorophenols - metabolism; Exact sciences and technology; General purification processes; General treatment and storage processes; Oxygen - chemistry; Oxygen - metabolism; Pollution; Rotating brush biofilm reactor (RBBR); Toxicity removal; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Wastes; Wastewaters; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water treatment and pollution; 4-Chlorophenol (4-CP); Rotating brush biofilm reactor (RBBR); Toxicity removal; Design; Response function; Chemical oxygen demand; Toxicity; Waste treatment; Water quality; Biofilm; Regression analysis; Objective function; Biological treatment; Surface area; Waste water
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.11.079

A novel rotating brush biofilm reactor (RBBR) was used for para-chlorophenol (4-chlorophenol, 4-CP), COD and toxicity removal from synthetic wastewater containing different concentrations of 4-CP. Effects of major operating variables such as the feed 4-CP and COD concentrations and A/ Q (biofilm surface area/feed flow rate) ratio on the performance of the biofilm reactor were investigated. A Box–Wilson statistical experiment design method was used by considering the feed 4-CP (0–1000 mg l −1), COD (2000–6000 mg l −1) and A/ Q ratio (73–293 m 2 day m −3) as the independent variables while the 4-CP, COD and toxicity removals were the objective functions. The results were correlated by a response function and the coefficients were determined by regression analysis. Percent 4-CP, COD and toxicity removals determined from the response functions were in good agreement with the experimental results. 4-CP, COD and toxicity removals increased with decreasing feed 4-CP and increasing A/ Q ratio. Optimum conditions resulting in maximum COD, 4-CP and toxicity removals were found to be A/ Q ratio of nearly 180 m 2 day m −3, feed COD of nearly 4000 mg l −1 and feed 4-CP of less than 205 mg l −1.