Purification of black olive washed waters by aerobic biological and ozonation processes.

The purification of black olive washed waters has been studied by an aerobi c biological treatment, an ozonation process and by the combination of both sequential processes: ozone-biological and biological-ozone. Biodegradatio n experiments have been carried out modifying the initial substrate and bio mass concentration. In the ozonation experiments, temperature, pH and ozone partial pressure has been varied. A kinetic study applying the Contois' mo del to the biological experimental data was performed. In the ozonation pro cess, supposing a firsts-order kinetic reaction with respect to COD and ozo ne, the kinetic constant was determined. In both combined treatments, the p revious stage improved the reaction rate of the second stage. For the purif ication of these wastewaters, an aerobic biological treatment followed by a n ozonation process was the most effective sequence.