Performance of a coupled micro‐electrolysis, anaerobic and aerobic system for oxytetracycline (OTC) production wastewater treatment. Issue 5 (27th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qi, Yuanfeng; Wu, Suqing; Xi, Fei; He, Shengbing; Fan, Chunzhen; Dai, Bibo; Huang, JungChen; Gao, Lei
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical technology & biotechnology. Volume 91:Issue 5(2016:May)
• Page Start: 1290
• Page End: 1298
• Publication Date: 2015-05-27
• Subjects: OTC production wastewater -- antibiotics -- micro‐electrolysis -- biodegradation -- systematic treatment; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Technical -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Industries -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/jctb.4719
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-2575

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The environmental and health effects caused by oxytetracycline (OTC) contamination of aquatic systems are a serious problem throughout the world. The OTC‐contaminated wastewater cannot be treated effectively by conventional anaerobic and aerobic biological treatments. Few studies have investigated the systematic treatment of OTC‐contaminated wastewater. RESULTS: A system including micro‐electrolysis (ME), an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) and an anoxic/oxic activated sludge process (A/O) could treat OTC production wastewater effectively. First, a ME reactor packed with new ceramic‐corrosion‐cell fillers, serving as a pretreatment step, was effective in removing residual OTC and enhancing biodegradability of the wastewater. Second, EGSB and A/O reactors played the main role in removing chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium nitrogen (NH3 ‐N) and chroma (color of the wastewater). After reaching steady state, the coupled ME‐EGSB‐A/O system removed more than 95.0% of COD, 90.0% of NH3 ‐N and 80.0% of color, and the final effluent met the requirements of the national discharge standard (COD ≤ 500 mg L −1, NH3 ‐N ≤ 45 mg L −1 and chroma ≤ 70; CJ 343–2010, China). CONCLUSION: The coupled ME‐EGSB‐A/O system could treat the OTC production wastewater effectively. These findings have significant implications for a cost‐efficient system in OTC production systematic treatment. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry