Response of low-strength phenol-acclimated activated sludge to shock loading of high phenol concentrations

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate the growth of low-strength phenol-acclimated activated sludge, (ii) investigate the degradation pathways and (iii) model the growth and biodegradation kinetics, all under the condition of increasingly higher phenol concentrations (step-up shock loading). With the use of activated sludge acclimated to phenol concentration of 140 mg∙ℓ −1 (low-strength phenol-acclimated activated sludge), complete degradation of phenol with a COD removal efficiency of more than 95% was achieved up to 1 050 mg∙ℓ −1 of initial phenol concentration. At low initial phenol concentrations, the experimental results were indicative of the meta-cleavage pathway for phenol degradation. When the initial phenol concentration was above 630 mg∙ℓ −1, the degradation results were indicative of both meta-and ortho-cleavage pathways. The values of the Haldane kinetic parameters indicated a low degree of inhibition exerted by the presence of increasing phenol concentration.

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