K. Yamagiwa et al., Biological treatment of highly foaming pharmaceutical wastewater by modified bubble-column under mechanical foam control, WATER SCI T, 42(3-4), 2000, pp. 331-337
Activated sludge treatment of highly foaming pharmaceutical wastewater was
carried out with modified bubble columns equipped with a mechanical foam-br
eaker (MFRD). The geometry of the bubble column was modified based on the f
oam breaking mechanism of the MRFD in order to improve the foam breaking ca
pacity and hence to enhance the treatment capacity. Four types of modificat
ions were examined. The activated sludge treatment of the wastewater with t
he modified columns was successfully carried out with COD removal efficienc
y about 90% at BOD loading of 4 g/Ld. Little effect of the mechanical foam
control on the sludge settling characteristics was observed. The column mod
ification significantly reduced the power required for foam control. The ma
ximum power decrement of 75% was attained. Furthermore, oxygen transfer was
found to be facilitated in the modified bubble columns. The results are ex
pected to be helpful for economic and effective treatment of highly foaming
organic wastewater.