Effect of n-hexane extracted from food wastewater on biological substrate adsorption in wastewater treatment. Issue 2 (8th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Choi, Jungsu; Eom, Hanki; Joo, Hyunjong; Kim, Seongcheol
• Is Part Of: Desalination and water treatment. Volume 57:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 636
• Page End: 645
• Publication Date: 2016-01-08
• Subjects: Food wastewater -- n-hexane -- Bio-sorption -- Specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) -- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); Saline water conversion -- Periodicals; Saline water conversion; Water -- Purification; Periodicals; 628.167
• DOI: 10.1080/19443994.2014.986827
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1944-3994

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of n-hexane contained in food wastewater on biological substrate adsorption (substrate bio-sorption). To achieve the purpose, microbial activity was assessed based on substrate removal characteristics and specific oxygen uptake rates (SOUR) at different concentrations of injected n-hexane. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied for an overall observation of n-hexane effects on substrate bio-sorption. The result showed that with higher n-hexane levels, the TBOD5 concentrations increased in the effluent, thereby pushing down substrate removal efficiencies. The SOUR values fell from its maximum 86.4–38.6 mg O2 /g MLVSS h, which indicates that microbial activity was affected by n-hexane injection. In addition, the sludge injected with n-hexane was analyzed by XPS, and it was found that carbon elements (especially C–C and C–H) were gradually reduced on the sludge surface. The injection of n-hexane is assumed to inhibit microbial substrate adsorption, consequently reducing extracellular polymeric substances. Therefore, n-hexane needs to be removed sufficiently through a pre-treatment process in food waste-to-resource facilities.