Anaerobic Degradation of Cadaver Waste Using an Attached Growth Recycle System
Publication: Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 20, Issue 2
Abstract
In this study, mixed wastes composed of high levels of phenol, formalin, and ethanol emanating from biotechnology and health science laboratories on the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) campus were degraded under anaerobic conditions in a hybrid suspended-attached growth system. Batch experiments were conducted using 80% removal of initial phenol concentrations as an end point. Formalin concentration was used to set the initial feeding constraints. After a stable, low level of phenol and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were established, three experimental periods demonstrated the simultaneous removal of 80% of influent COD, 97% removal of formalin, and at least 85% removal of phenol (concentrations of 1,000, 110, and , respectively). A biogas was produced continuously, but was not quantified nor identified because of constraints. Further research is needed to determine mineralization and possible intermediate formation and to prove such a system is a viable option for the on-site treatment of university or small-scale research-generated hazardous mixed wastes.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge Algenol Biofuels for supplying the reactor supplies and R. Holtzclaw, Director of Environmental Health and Safety at FGCU, for supplying the hazardous waste solution and information. Additionally, the authors would like to thank L. Daniel, S. Goldman, L. Gosselin, M. Ledesma, and K. Richards for their help in the reactor design and COD, phenol, and formalin testing. This research was graciously funded by the Environmental Engineering Program of the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Whitaker College of Engineering and Environmental Health and Safety, of FGCU.
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Published In
Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 20 • Issue 2 • April 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 2, 2015
Accepted: Jul 21, 2015
Published online: Dec 8, 2015
Published in print: Apr 1, 2016
Discussion open until: May 8, 2016
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