Anaerobic dechlorination using a fluidized-bed GAC reactor

A simulated high-strength industrial wastewater containing acetate, phenol, and orthochlorophenol (2-CP) was treated using an anaerobic fluidized-bed granular activated carbon (GAC) reactor. Although carbon replacement was initiated to maintain the effluent quality from the reactor and to minimize the inhibitory effects of 2-CP, the latter phase of this study demonstrated that carbon replacement was not necessary. A large pulse input of organic feed was introduced to investigate the resilience of the reactor to severe and sudden increases in influent organic loading. With appropriate pH adjustment, the reactor stabilized within less than two days. A mathematical model was developed to investigate the interaction between the adsorption and biodegradation of compounds in the reactor during the large pulse input. The model confirmed that the GAC was instrumental in controlling the buildup of 2-CP in the reactor.