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Advances in Environmental Research Volume 2, Number 3, September 2013 , pages 229-243 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/aer.2013.2.3.229 |
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Petrochemical effluent treatment using natural coagulants and an aerobic biofilter |
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Erick R. Bandala, Juan Bernardo Tiro, Mariana Lujan, Francisco J. Camargo, Jose Luis Sanchez-Salas, Silvia Reyna, Gabriela Moeller and Luis G. Torres
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| Abstract | ||
| Coagulation-flocculation (CF) was tested coupled with an aerobic biofilter to reduce total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs) concentration and toxicity from petrochemical wastewater. The efficiency of the process was followed using turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The biofilter was packed with a basaltic waste (tezontle) and inoculated with a bacterial consortium. Toxicity test were carried out using Lactuca sativa var. capitata seeds. Best results for turbidity removal were obtained using alum. Considerable turbidity removal was obtained when using Opuntia spp. COD removal with alum was 25%, for Opuntia powder it was 36%. The application of the biofilter allowed the removal of 70% of the remaining TPHs after 30 days with a biodegradation rate (BDR) value 47 mgL-1d-1. COD removal was slightly higher with BDR value 63 mgL-1d-1. TPH kinetics allowed a degradation rate constant equal to 4.05 | ||
| Key Words | ||
| petrochemical wastewater; oil biodegradation; TPHs degradation submerged biofilters; design parameters; toxicity reduction | ||
| Address | ||
| (1) Erick R. Bandala, Juan Bernardo Tiro, Mariana Lujan, Francisco J. Camargo, Jose Luis Sanchez-Salas and Silvia Reyna: Grupo de Investigacion en Energia y Ambiente, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla, Puebla, Ex-Hacienda de Sta. Catarina Martir, San Andres Cholula 72810 Puebla, Mexico; (2) Gabriela Moeller: Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua, Mexico; (3) Luis G. Torres: Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnologia, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico. | ||
