Abstract
During the application of anaerobic processes to high sulphate concentration wastewaters, operational problems are expected due to the occurrence of sulphate reduction. Sulphide production reduces effluent quality and may produce inhibition. The application of Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactors for the combined removal of organic matter and sulphate was studied at different COD/sulphate and 3 values of pH. During the EGSB reactor operation, most of the sulphide remains in the liquid phase reducing effluent quality. The inclusion of a desorption column in the recirculation of the EGSB reactor promotes mass transfer to the gas phase, reducing the sulphide concentration in the liquid phase, significantly decreasing the chemical oxygen demand of the effluent.
Highlights
The application of Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactors for the combined removal of organic matter and sulphate was studied at different chemical oxygen demand (COD)/sulphate and 3 values of pH
During the EGSB reactor operation, most of the sulphide remains in the liquid phase reducing effluent quality
The competition established between sulphate reducing and methanogenic and acetogenic microorganisms for the electron donor modifies the traditional scheme of anaerobic digestion, and can limit organic matter removal (Visser et al 1993; O’Flaherty et al 1998)
Summary
The competition established between sulphate reducing and methanogenic and acetogenic microorganisms for the electron donor (organic matter and H2) modifies the traditional scheme of anaerobic digestion, and can limit organic matter removal (Visser et al 1993; O’Flaherty et al 1998). Sulphur presence inhibits both sulphate reducer and methanogenic bacteria. Several industrial processes that use sulphuric acid in high amounts, or sulphate rich substrates, generate wastewaters with high sulphate and organic matter content This is the case of fermentation and marine food processing industries.
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