Abstract
The anaerobic biodegradability of mixtures of phenolic compounds was studied under continuous and batch systems. Continuous experiments were carried out in up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors degrading a mixture of phenol and p-cresol as the main carbon and energy sources. The total chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal above 90% was achieved even at organic loading rates as high as 7 kg COD/m3/day. Batch experiments were conducted with mixtures of phenolic compounds (phenol, p-cresol, and o-cresol) to determine the specific biodegradation rates using unadapted and adapted anaerobic granular sludge. Phenol and p-cresol were mineralized by adapted sludge with rates several orders of magnitude higher than unadapted sludge. Additionally, an UASB reactor was operated with the mixture phenol, p-cresol, and o-cresol. After 54 days of operation, 80% of o-cresol (supplied at 132 mg/L) was eliminated. The phenol biodegradation was not affected by the presence of o-cresol. These results demonstrate that major phenolic components in petrochemical effluents can be biodegraded simultaneously during anaerobic treatment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 999-1006 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Environmental Engineering |
Volume | 129 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2003 |
Keywords
- Anaerobic processes
- Biodegradation
- Cisterns
- Methane
- Phenol
- Sludge
- Wastewater treatment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Environmental Chemistry
- General Environmental Science