Abstract
Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) is the raw material for polyester fibres, plastics, coating and adhesives. Its manufacture generates large volumes of effluent with high concentration of terephthalic acid (500-600 ppm), a critical pollutant. In this study a mixed culture made up of five types of bacteria, derived from the effluent treatment plant (ETP) sludge was used to aerobically treat the PTA effluent, removing all the benzoates [4-carboxybenzyl alcohol, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, 4-carboxy benzaldehyde (4-CBA), benzoic acid, p-toluic acid and trimellitic acid] which contribute to its chemical oxygen demand (COD). The study included optimisation of pH (6-9), pH neutralisers and biomass concentration (≥2,000 ppm Mixed liquor suspended solids) for achieving 94–95% COD removal in 72–96 h, the results being supported by HPLC analysis. Metals (Co, Mn and Mg) reduced significantly (88%, ~100% and 83%, respectively), being utilised for growth or getting sequestered in the biomass. Characterisation of the five pure cultures was carried out.
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