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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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Methods for Facilitating Microbial Growth on Pulp Mill Waste Streams and Characterization of the Biodegradation Potential of Cultured Microbes
Published on: December 12, 2013
Advanced oxidation of bleached eucalypt kraft pulp mill effluent.
A H Mounteer1, R O Pereira, A A Morais
1Civil Engineering Department, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil. ann@ufv.br
Summary
Ozonation with hydrogen peroxide effectively enhanced the biodegradability of industrial ECF bleaching filtrate, improving effluent quality by increasing BOD and reducing COD. This advanced oxidation process showed promise for recalcitrant COD removal.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Pulp and Paper Industry
Background:
- Industrial alkaline ECF bleaching filtrate is poorly biodegradable (BOD/COD = 0.3).
- Recalcitrant COD in effluent requires effective removal for improved water quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for treating alkaline ECF bleaching filtrate.
- Assess the combined chemical-biological treatment potential for recalcitrant COD removal.
- Improve final effluent quality from pulp and paper mills.
Main Methods:
- Ozonation combined with hydrogen peroxide (O3/H2O2).
- Photocatalysis using hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) and TiO2 (UV/TiO2/H2O2).
- Analysis of biodegradability (BOD/COD), lignin, color, and carbohydrate loss.
Main Results:
- O3/H2O2 significantly increased biodegradability by up to 68%, raising BOD and lowering COD.
- Higher ozone doses were more effective than higher hydrogen peroxide doses for improving biodegradability and removing lignin and color.
- Photocatalytic processes decreased biodegradability and were inefficient for lignin and color removal, possibly inhibited by high chloride and COD levels.
Conclusions:
- Ozonation with hydrogen peroxide is a promising AOP for enhancing the biodegradability of ECF bleaching filtrate.
- The O3/H2O2 process can achieve substantial lignin and color removal without significant carbohydrate loss.
- Photocatalysis may be more effective for recalcitrant COD removal when applied after biological treatment.
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