Upgrading of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in a Chemical Factory

Abstract

Full-scale experiments were conducted to study the wastewater treatment plant of a chemical factory. The objective of the study was to upgrade the overloaded biological activated sludge system by powdered activated carbon addition. Improvement of the organic micropollutant removal characteristics was also expected on the basis of previous experiments. During the three months experimental period the applicability and benefits of the process were proved, even under unfavourable conditions. Operation of the plant became stable, the quality of effluent improved about 30% in organic content and in several micropollutants. The upgraded unit could be overloaded by about 20% without any decrease in efficiency.