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Published on: October 15, 2015
Anaerobic biodegradation of chlorinated aliphatic compounds using packed bed reactors
P Mijaylova-Nacheva1, A Canul-Chuil
1Mexican Institute of Water Technology, Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Col. Progreso, Jiutepec, Morelos, C.P. 62550, Mexico.
Summary
Anaerobic reactors using granular activated carbon (GAC) effectively degraded chlorinated aliphatic compounds in industrial wastewater. Tezontle also showed promise, though complete degradation of an intermediate product was limited.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Industrial wastewater from ethylene and polyvinyl chloride production contains hazardous chlorinated aliphatic compounds.
- Effective treatment methods are crucial to mitigate environmental pollution from these chemicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of anaerobic packed bed reactors using tezontle and granular activated carbon (GAC) for degrading chlorinated aliphatic compounds.
- To compare the performance of tezontle and GAC as support materials for biofilm development in bioreactors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized anaerobic packed bed reactors with tezontle and GAC as support materials.
- Developed biofilm using anaerobic sludge as inoculum.
- Assessed the biodegradation of specific chlorinated aliphatic compounds (1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride) and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
Main Results:
- Complete biodegradation of chlorinated aliphatic compounds was achieved with GAC at organic loads up to 1.24 kgCOD.m(-3).d(-1), yielding 94% COD removal.
- High COD removal was observed with both tezontle and GAC.
- Tezontle reactors demonstrated significant biodegradation capacity, but incomplete degradation of 1,1-dichloroethene, an intermediate product, was noted.
Conclusions:
- Granular activated carbon is a highly effective support material for anaerobic degradation of chlorinated aliphatic compounds in industrial wastewater.
- Tezontle shows potential but requires further optimization for complete degradation of all intermediates.
- Anaerobic bioreactors can effectively treat these pollutants without external electron donors.
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