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TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL WASTES
Citation:
Schimmel, C. AND D. Griffin. TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL WASTES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-76/123 (NTIS PB262979), 1976.
Description:
The waste effluent from operation of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant of Reichhold Chemicals, Inc., results from both batch and continuous operations, contains both organic and inorganic wastes and varies both in composition and concentration. This report describes development of a bio-oxidation process which resulted in a significant reduction in BOD5 and COD loading and almost complete removal of phenols. Lack of reliability ascribed to the bio process led to development of an activated carbon adsorption process that has resulted in the average removal of 90% of the COD, 75% of the BOD5 and over 99% of the phenol load in the RCI process waste. Bio-oxidation should not be overlooked for treating industrial wastes although its usefulness is limited with respect to bacterial poisons, such as phenol, and by ambient temperature changes that result in variable biological activity.