Treatment of Industrial Effluents in a Bioreactor

Abstract

The sources of occurrence of various pollutants from chemical process industries and there harmful effects have been highlighted. Typical composition of wastewater from various sources presented. The methods of treatment of wastewater briefly discussed. Special attention has been paid to the biological treatment mentioning the drawbacks of the traditional methods. The relative advantages of various modern bioreactors working on immobilization technique have been projected. A comparative picture with respect to various modern bioreactors has been presented and the uniqueness of the activated sludge and the fluidized bioreactors in the treatment of wastewater has been emphasized.

Effluent was collected from Rourkela Steel Plant. BOD and COD were then done to measure the oxygen requirement of the effluent. It was then subjected to batch culturing at pH 6.5 to 7.5 and temperature 28 to 30ºC. COD was done on each day of batch culture. The gradual decrease of COD determines the viability of the microorganisms in the batch. After some days of batch culturing plastic beads were inserted so that adsorption over the plastic beads can occur and immobilization can take place. Then SEM was used to know the thickness of the microbes coated over the surface of the beads. Phenol is one of the most common contaminant, the methods of treatment of phenolic wastewater discussed emphasis given on the aerobic biological treatment. Special attention has been paid to the biological treatment. The relative advantages of various modern bioreactors working on immobilization technique have been projected.