Intensification of the biotreatment processes of natural and waste water, contaminated with spent lubricating oils with sorbents of various nature

Abstract

Biodegradation of spent lubricating oils (mineral, semisynthetic, synthetic) was investigated in natural and waste water of consortia of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms (HOM) under the influence of sorbents of various nature. It was found that the effectiveness of the latter’s action on the biotreatment processes of water from oils is determined by the size of particles, concentration, formation of active contact surface of phases by them and their participation in neutralization of contaminants. In direct use of sorbents without HOM, are purified 7 to 19.6 % oils. This is achieved within 10-14 days of contact. The joint use with HOM of inert materials (river sand, coal powder, polyethylene chips, etc.), in the same contact times, water is neutralized from lubricating oils from 44.9 to 63.7 % observed under the influence of HOM only. At the same time, with buckwheat, oats, wheat and barley husks with the same level of pollution, the purification of water from lubricating oils reaches 93.7 %. It is related to the simultaneous participation of these sorbents in the formation of a highly active surface for immobilizing contaminants and microflora, to provide stimulating activity of the latter by involving products associated with these materials in oxidative processes.