Two-stage Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) system to reduce UV absorbance in landfill leachates. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pathak, Ankit; Pruden, Amy; Novak, John T.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 251(2018)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Landfill leachate -- Wastewater -- UV disinfection -- Organic carbon -- Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) -- UV quenching; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.12.050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: UV Quenching Organic carbon successfully degraded in landfill leachates. Novel, sequential thermophilic-mesophilic anaerobic treatment of landfill leachate. >50% removal of xenobiotic organic carbon over 10 months of operation. Higher removal of UV absorbance than previously reported biologically. Potential on-site treatment options for landfills prior to discharging to WWTPs. Abstract: Landfill leachate typically contains UV-quenching organics, which hinder disinfection at POTWs. This study tested a 2-stage submerged AnMBR for the degradation of UV-absorbing compounds in landfill leachate. Leachate was treated in a thermophilic reactor (55 ± 2 °C) followed by a mesophilic AnMBR (37 ± 1 °C), with HRTs of 25 ± 5 days and 40 ± 5 days respectively. Solids were not wasted, in order to promote biomass accumulation. COD, Organic carbon, and UV254 absorbance were monitored over 13 months of operation. Known UV-quenching compounds, including humic acids, fulvic acids and hydrophilic matter, were reduced by 55%. Molecular weight distribution analyses revealed that the thermophilic reactor hydrolyzed organic carbon >100 KDa into smaller fractions, which were removed in the AnMBR. The system consistently removed 50% of the total UV absorbance. This promising, new enhanced biological process may provide landfills with a feasible pretreatment alternative to expensive chemical oxidation or RO processes before discharging leachate into sewers.