Cellulosic and Tannins Containing Wastewater Treatment Using MBBR Technology and Fungal Strain

Abstract

Since the beginning, Mobile Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology has been extensively used, both at the level of small on-site treatment units and at industrial scale. Moreover, this technology represents a starting point for many researches aimed at improving performance, such as the use of microorganisms, enrichment with anammox bacteria to accelerate nitrogen removal and more. Within the present paper, a new generation of carriers (consisting of a mix of high-density polyethylene + talcum + cellulose) was bio-augmented with a WRF (White Rot Fungi) strain, namely Cerioporus squamosus, in static conditions (data not shown in this paper). The wastewater, targeted for treatment, originated from National R&D Institute for Textile and Leather, INCDTP Bucharest, leather subsidiary, Leather and Footwear Research Institute, technological flux, characterized by high tannins concentration, and cellulosic content. Wastewater treatment aimed the reduction of COD value, as a water quality parameter, with satisfactory results, obtaining a percentage reduction rate of 48.53%. Also, GC-MS chromatography analysis was carried out on five vegetal tannins, used in leather treatment, highlighting main compounds for Mimosa, Chestnut, Gambier, Myrobalan and Quebracho natural tannins.