ANAEROBIC DECHLORINATION USING A FLUIDIZED-BED GAC REACTOR

A simulated high-strength industrial wastewater containing acetate, ph enol, and orthochlorophenol (2-CP) was treated using an anaerobic flui dized-bed granular activated carbon (GAC) reactor. Although carbon rep lacement was initiated to maintain the effluent quality from the react or and to minimize the inhibitory effects of 2-CP, the latter phase of this study demonstrated that carbon replacement was not necessary. A large pulse input of organic feed was introduced to investigate the re silience of the reactor to severe and sudden increases in influent org anic loading. With appropriate pH adjustment, the reactor stabilized w ithin less than two days. A mathematical model was developed to invest igate the interaction between the adsorption and biodegradation of com pounds in the reactor during the large pulse input. The model confirme d that the GAC was instrumental in controlling the buildup of 2-CP in the reactor.