Total organic halide and color removal from a kraft mill wastewater

Abstract

Aerated stabilization basins (ASB) were modeled to examine the effects of operational modifications on their abilities to remove organic chlorinated compounds and color from Kraft mill bleaching wastewater. Color was measured spectrophotometrically and organic chlorinated compounds were measured as total organic halide (TOX). Kraft mill bleaching wastes were treated in bench-scale bioreactors containing acclimated sludge from operating full-scale ASB's. Modifications were made to traditional ASB operations to determine the effects of mixing, anaerobic conditions, sequential anaerobic/aerobic conditions, and forced co-mingling of wastewater and sludge on TOX and color removal. Results were compared to traditional facultative aerobic conditions experienced in an ASB. Performance was determined in terms of percent removal, total removal, and specific removal based on biomass present.