Influence of electrochemical advanced oxidation on the long-term operation of an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor treating 4-chlorophenol containing wastewater. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Coster, Jonas; Liu, Jia; Van den Broeck, Rob; Rossi, Barbara; Dewil, Raf; Appels, Lise
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 159(2020)
• Page Start: 683
• Page End: 692
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Anaerobic wastewater treatment -- UASB -- Chlorophenol -- Inhibition -- Biogas; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.04.037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) systems are of specific interest for the treatment of high organic wastewater since they offer the opportunity to recover energy in the form of methane (biogas). The technology is highly suitable for the degradation of biodegradable organics, but its efficiency can be significantly hampered by the presence of toxic pollutants in the water. In this study, the use of electrochemical advanced oxidation (eAOP) coupled to a lab-scale UASB reactor for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) in wastewater was investigated. The eAOP treatment consisted of the electrochemical production of active chlorine at a Ti/RuO2 –IrO2 anode with a fixed current density of 25 mA/cm 2 in the recycle of the UASB reactor. It was noticed that the total COD removal efficiency decreased from 75.8% when no 4-CP was present in the wastewater to 25.6% and 13.6% after the addition of 100 ppm and 50 ppm 4-CP, respectively. Furthermore, elevated levels of volatile fatty acids and ORP were observed in the effluent of the reactor, indicating process failure. It was postulated that the decrease in COD removal efficiency was due to the release of high amounts of hypochlorite, causing an oxidative environment in the anaerobic reactor. This hypochlorite may have reacted with several components such as ammonia to form other toxic components (e.g., chloramine). Highlights: Degradation of 4-chlorophenol in a combined biological/oxidation set-up is studied. An electrochemical treatment is implemented in the recycle flow of the UASB. Oxidation is carried out in chloride containing wastewater. 4-chlorophenol is successfully degraded but excess hypochlorite is detected. The reactor can suffer from the presence of toxic components.