Feasibility of bioengineered two-stages sequential batch reactor and filtration–adsorption process for complex agrochemical effluent

In the present study, the feasibility of a bioengineered two-stages sequential batch reactor (BTSSBR) followed by filtration–adsorption process was investigated to treat the agrochemical effluent by overcoming factor affecting process stability such as microbial imbalance and substrate sensitivity. An air stripper stripped 90% of toxic ammonia, and combined with other streams for bio-oxidation and filtration–adsorption. The BTSSBR system achieved bio-oxidation at 6 days hydraulic retention time by fending off microbial imbalance and substrate sensitivity. The maximum reduction in COD and BOD by heterotrophic bacteria in the first reactor was 87% and 90%, respectively. Removal of toxic ammoniacal-nitrogen by autotrophic bacteria in a post-second stage bio-oxidation was 97%. The optimum filtration and adsorption of pollutants were achieved at a filtration rate of 10 and 9 m3 m−2 h−1, respectively. The treatment scheme comprising air stripper, BTSSBR and filtration–adsorption process showed a great promise for treating the agrochemical effluent.