Comparison of biological and chemical treatment processes as cost-effective methods for elimination of benzoate in saline wastewaters

Abstract

Eight mixed cultures able to degrade benzoic acid under saline conditions were established and kinetic parameters were determined in batch processes with cultures SBM002 (0.5 g d−1·g oDM−1), SBM003 (0.7 g d−1·g oDM−1) and SBM007 (2.2 g d−1·g oDM−1) showing the highest degradation rates. Treatability of an industrial waste water (12 g L−1 benzoic acid, 82 g L−1 NaCl) by these cultures was proven in a fed-batch system (SBM002 & SBM003) and a continuous flow reactor (SBM007). The performance of the continuous flow reactor was 15-times higher compared to the fed-batch system due to the change of inocula, higher concentration of ammonia as nutrient and less accumulation of possibly toxic catecholic compounds. Average DOC reduction was found to be 98% at 100 g L−1 NaCl and 1.2 g L−1 benzoic acid under these conditions. Pre-treatment of the waste water via chemical precipitation by acidification to pH 3.5 diminished the concentration of benzoic acid to 2.1 g L−1. In a combined chemical-biological process the volume of the bioreactor is reduced to 15% compared to a pure biological process. A comparison of operational costs for these three alternatives is presented.