Abstract
Laboratory experiments were carried out on the degradation of phenol by mixed cultures grown in a completely-mixed and compartmentalized system at various solids retention times. In spite of the fact that both the systems produced effluents of the same quality, the superiority of the compartmentalized system was definitely proved even for the degradation of the toxic compound. Besides the capability of suppressing the filamentous microorganisms' growth, the compartmentalized system produced a mixed culture which had the maximum volumetric and specific rates of phenol removal much higher than that grown in the completely-mixed system. Pilot plant experiments were carried out on the purification of hospital wastewaters in a completely-mixed and compartmentalized contact aeration system used in Japan in small treatment plants. As regards filtered effluents, both systems produced effluents of the same quality. Non-filtered effluents from the compartmentalized system were much better due to lower concentrations of suspended solids. A possible explanation of this phenomenon is given.
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