Abstract |
Degradation of cyanide by the complete-mixing activated sludge process of biological waste treatment was investigated in a laboratory pilot plant to determine the feasibility and economy of this process for treating industrial cyanide wastes, and to obtain scientific and engineering data for the design of a prototype plant. Potassium cyanide was fed into the system, with ammonium acetate and a synthetic sewage as supplemental feeds. As a check on the possible influence of solids age, both sludge wasting (young cells) and extended aeration (old cells) were studied. Construction and operating costs for a full-scale complete-mixing activated sludge treatment plant were estimated to be about 50 percent of comparable costs for alkaline chlorination, the usual chemical treatment. |