Abstract
This review discusses bioreactor-based methods for industrial hydrocarbon-containing wastewater treatment using different (e.g., stirred-tank, membrane, packed-bed and fluidized-bed) constructions. Aerobic, anaerobic and hybrid bioreactors are becoming increasingly popular in the field of oily wastewater treatment, while high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons usually require physico-chemical pre-treatments. Most efficient bioreactor techniques employ immobilized cultures of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms, either defined consortia or mixed natural populations. Some advantages of fluidized-bed bioreactors over other types of reactors are shown, such as large biofilm–liquid interfacial area, high immobilized biomass concentration and improved mass transfer characteristics. Several limitations, including low nutrient content and the presence of heavy metals or toxicants, as well as fouling and contamination with nuisance microorganisms, can be overcome using effective inocula and advanced bioreactor designs. The examples of laboratory studies and few successful pilot/full-scale applications are given relating to the biotreatment of oilfield wastewater, fuel-contaminated water and refinery effluents.
Highlights
Hydrocarbon-containing wastewater is generated in large volumes in petroleum, metallurgical and transport industries, as well as in other water-intensive industries, agriculture and urban management
It should be noted that concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in wastewater may decrease due to natural processes of decomposition and chemical oxidation, evaporation and biological degradation by native microflora
The results showed that chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH3-N removal efficiencies were higher than 85% at the hydraulic retention time (HRT) values of 72 and 36 h
Summary
Hydrocarbon-containing wastewater is generated in large volumes in petroleum, metallurgical and transport industries, as well as in other water-intensive industries, agriculture and urban management. Oil production and refining processes consume large amounts of water and discharge hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater streams, which are the main source of organic pollution of the environment. Municipal wastewaters contain thousands organic compounds, among which petroleum hydrocarbons predominate. Industrial and municipal effluents are treated using conventional methods in activated sludge and aerated lagoon systems. These processes suffer from serious operational problems, while novel techniques, for example, membrane bioreactors are applied. The complexity of the wastewater composition and stringent discharge limits require combinations of several treatment methods. This review focuses on advanced bioreactor technologies, including hybrid and integrated physico-chemical and biological systems
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