A novel environmental biotechnological aerobic process (BioAX) for the treatment of coal gasification wastewater

Abstract

A high efficiency advanced bio-membrane technology aerobic reactor (BioAX) has been investigated for the treatment of coal gasification wastewater over a period 300 days. It could treat the coal gasification wastewater effectively after a post anaerobic process. With the influent conc. of COD 800–900 mg L⁻¹, total phenol 100 mg L⁻¹, ammonium nitrogen 80–100 mg L⁻¹, and volatile phenol 40 mg L⁻¹, the effluent COD, total phenol, ammonium nitrogen, and volatile phenol could decrease to 200–300 mg L⁻¹, 20 mg L⁻¹, 15–30 mg L⁻¹ and 1 mg L⁻¹ showing average removal efficiencies of COD, total phenol, ammonium nitrogen, and volatile phenol of 70–80%, 80%, 70–80%, and 99.9%, respectively. The loading rate and removal rate of total phenol showed a linear relationship having R² = 0.95169. The technology also substantially reduces the sludge quantity and thus reduces the sludge handling cost. After 300 days of continuous operation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of biofilm by the microbial population as well as intensive filamentous bacteria settlements on the biological filler. Moreover it has a durable aeration system that is easy maintained and can be easily replaced. It can treat low to medium contents of organic or biological waste.