Technical Notes
Jul 14, 2012

Treatment of an Industrial Wastewater Containing Acrylic Acid and Formaldehyde in an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor

Publication: Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 17, Issue 1

Abstract

A simulated high-strength [chemical oxygen demand (COD) 85,000mg/L] wastewater containing primarily acrylic acid, acetic acid, and formaldehyde was treated in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor. The reactor consisted of a 25 L complete-mix tank fitted with three Kubota flat-panel membrane cartridges. The reactor was operated at an organic loading rate of 3.4kgCOD/m3-day. More than 99% removal of COD and formaldehyde was achieved. Acrylic acid concentration in the effluent stream was below the detection limit. This preliminary study, which lasted for 45 days, showed the potential of application of anaerobic membrane bioreactors in treatment of high-strength wastewaters containing toxic substances like acrylic acid and formaldehyde.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency under the Atlantic Innovation Fund program. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Dennis Connor of the University of New Brunswick, and Jonathan Dargavel, Andrew Hulse, Otto Morales, and Zaiyan Mi of ADI Systems Inc. for their assistance during the experimental setup.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 17Issue 1January 2013
Pages: 74 - 79

History

Received: Aug 4, 2010
Accepted: Jun 6, 2012
Published online: Jul 14, 2012
Published in print: Jan 1, 2013

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Authors

Affiliations

Debraj Bhattacharyya, Ph.D. [email protected]
Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Civil Engineering, Ordnance Factory Estate, Yeddumailaram, Medak, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 502 205, India; formerly, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Michael J. Allison [email protected]
Process Engineer, ADI Systems, Inc.; formerly, Graduate Student, Univ. of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada. E-mail: [email protected]
Jonathan R. Webb [email protected]
Engineer in Training, Peter Kiewit Construction; formerly, Undergraduate Student, Research Assistant, Univ. of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada. E-mail: [email protected]
Gustavo M. Zanatta [email protected]
Engineer in Training, Jr. Process Engineer, ADI Systems, Inc.; formerly, Graduate Student, Univ. of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada. E-mail: [email protected]
Kripa S. Singh, Ph.D. [email protected]
Professor, Univ. of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada. E-mail: [email protected]
Shannon R. Grant [email protected]
P.Eng.
Vice President, Technology ADI Systems Inc. E-mail: [email protected]

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