Sequencing Batch Reactor Performance Evaluation on Orthophosphates and COD Removal from Brewery Wastewater

Abstract

The discharge of industrial effluent constituting high orthophosphates and organic pollutants in water receiving bodies compromises freshwater quality and perpetuates eutrophication. In this study, an anaerobic–aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR) under activated sludge was investigated for orthophosphates and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from brewery wastewater. Raw brewery wastewater samples were collected on a daily basis for a period of 4 weeks. The findings of the study are reported based on overall removal efficiencies recording 69% for orthophosphates and 54% for total COD for a sludge retention time (SRT) of 7 days and hydraulic retention time of 18 h at mesophilic temperature conditions of ±25 °C. Moreover, the SBR system showed stability on orthophosphate removal at a SRT ranging from 3 to 7 days with a variation in organic volumetric loading rate ranging from 1.14 to 4.83 kg COD/m3.day. The anaerobic reaction period was experimentally found to be 4 h with the aerobic phase lasting for 14 h. The SBR system demonstrated feasibility on orthophosphates and COD removal with variation in organic loading rate.

Effect of HRTs on COD and Nutrient Removal in Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) Process

“…3 showed the relationship between percentage of COD removal and concentration of biomass where the of percentage of COD removal increases with increasing concentration of biomass. According to [9][10][11][12][13], the presence of microorganism in high concentration reduces the treatment duration and increase the percentage removal of COD.…”

“…ORP value has close relationship between activity microorganism and nitrification and denitrification processes [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Anaerobic/anoxic and aerobic can be well distinguished by the means of ORP profile.…”

“…Anaerobic, aerobic, and anoxic process can be carried out in SBR to remove nutrient contained in the wastewater [2]. SBRs are used successfully to treat both municipal and industrial wastewater [10][11]. Among the advantages of SBR method is required less area compared to conventional treatment and can be controlled easily using computer [11].…”

“…SBRs are used successfully to treat both municipal and industrial wastewater [10][11]. Among the advantages of SBR method is required less area compared to conventional treatment and can be controlled easily using computer [11]. In addition, SBR can achieve high nitrogen removal and secondary sedimentation tank is not required.…”

“…However, to our knowledge, limited of the reported studies have reported on the performance evaluation of a SBR for simultaneous COD and nutrient removal of wastewater. The SBR system is selected on the basis that the settling and reaction phase takes place in the same vessel, which makes it easy to operate and economically attractive [11]. Thus, the aim for this study is to determine the performance of different hydraulic retention time (24 h, 12 h, and 8 h) to the percentage removal of COD and nutrient.…”