Characterization of Treated Effluent from a Chemithermomechanical Pulping Process Using Macroporous Resins

Abstract

Abstract This study developed a characterization of the organic matter remaining in a chemithermomechanical pulping (CTMP) effluent after biological treatment and evaluated the potential impact of this effluent when discharged into the receiving environment. The methodology employed involved fractionation with macroporous resins to allow for the isolation of hydrophobic and hydro-philic organic materials. The study also examined the treated effluent’s reactivity with chlorine, a typical drinking water disinfectant, in order to assess the formation potential of chlorinated by-products and the chlorine demand in a downstream drinking water treatment plant. Results showed that the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in a treated effluent from a CTMP mill consisted of 87% hydrophobic material (primarily humic substances), 5% hydrophilic acids and 3 to 4% nitrogenous compounds. At least 95% of the DOC was isolated using three different macroporous resins. The chlorine demand of the biotreated CTMP effluent was two to three times higher than is typical for natural organic matter from surface water. This indicated that the organic material in the CTMP effluent was highly reactive with chlorine and will likely be reactive with other oxidants such as ozone, which is also applied in the drinking water industry. Moreover, the disinfection by-products chloroform and trichloroacetic acid were formed in high concentrations as a result of chlorination. The biotreated CTMP effluent had a high chemical oxygen demand (at least 1,100 mg/L) but a relatively low biochemical oxygen demand (less than 100 mg/L), which was to be expected after biological treatment. Hence, discharge of these effluents could release high concentrations of non- or slowly biodegradable organic matter into the downstream aquatic environment. Water pollution control policies should therefore consider the potential impact of treated effluents from CTMP mills with regard to their high DOC and the potential for chlorinated by-product formation upon drinking water disinfection.