Premium
Performance comparison between activated sludge and fixed film processes for priority pollutant removals
Author(s) -
Clapp L. W.,
Talarczyk M. R.,
Park J. K.,
Boyle W. C.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/wer.66.2.9
Subject(s) - pollutant , activated sludge , biodegradation , environmental chemistry , aeration , chemistry , wastewater , chloride , adsorption , sewage treatment , toluene , volatile organic compound , waste management , environmental engineering , pulp and paper industry , environmental science , organic chemistry , engineering
ABSTRACT:
This study compared the performance of activated sludge (AS) and fixed‐film processes in removing organic priority pollutants from a municipal /industrial wastewater. The study employed parallel low and high‐loaded laboratory‐scale AS and biological aerated filter (BAF) reactors. The research focused on the fate of six selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs), although GC/MS scans were also performed to evaluate the fate of other organic priority pollutants. The AS and BAF reactors achieved comparable VOC removals and stripping rates were slightly higher for the AS reactors; biodegradation rates were slightly higher for the BAF reactors. Observed removals, which ranged from 32% for methylene chloride to over 95% for toluene, compared well with removal rates observed in previous studies. Consequential adsorption rates were observed for numerous basic or neutral and pesticide pollutants in both processes.