ANAEROBIC TREATMENT OF A SIMULATED HIGH-STRENGTH INDUSTRIAL WASTE-WATER CONTAINING CHLOROPHENOLS

An anaerobic fluidized-bed granular activated carbon (GAC) reactor emp loying carbon replacement was evaluated for the treatment of a simulat ed high-strength industrial wastewater containing inhibitory concentra tions of chlorophenols. The reactor was fed 2 000 to 5 900 mg/L acetic acid: 1 000 to 3 000 mg/L phenol; 1 200 mg/L ortho-chlorophenol (2-CP ); 600 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP); and 150 mg/L 2,4,6-trichloro phenol (2,4,6-TCP). The effects of varying the carbon replacement rate , the bulk operating pH, and the organic loading on reactor performanc e were investigated. The system was highly effective for treating the wastewater and an overall chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal greater than 98% was achieved. Carbon replacement resulting in a GAC solids m ean retention time (SMRT) of 100 days was necessary to control the bui ldup of an inhibitory degradation byproduct, para-chlorophenol (4-CP).