Effect of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane on the performance of upflow anaerobicsludge bed (UASB) reactors

Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAH) are important environmental pollut ants since they are industrially used for a wide variety of applications. C hlorinated hydrocarbons are cited as important contributors to the inhibiti on of anaerobic digestion. In this work, the effect of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroe thane (TCE) on the performance of upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reacto rs fed with sucrose synthetic wastewater has been studied. According to the results obtained it can be concluded the possibility to use UASB reactors with granular sludge to treat industrial wastewaters with a continuous cont ent of TCE: up to a concentration of 130 mg/l or with incidental punctual d ischarges of high concentration of the toxicant up to 400 mg/l. In all case s in which the activity of the reactor was inhibited a fast recuperation wa s observed. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the IAW Q. All rights reserved.