Sem Studies On Facilitated Microbial Growth On Pac In A Biological Reactor

Abstract

A process known as powdered activated carbon (PAC) treatment was applied to facilitate additional bacterial growth in the treatment of industrial wastewater. Refinery wastewater was fed into a pilot plant reactor at a rate of 4-6 mg/1 at 24°C, pH 7.0 and dissolved oxygen in the range of 5-6 mg/1. The reactor had input from a local municipal wastewater treatment plant, with the addition of 120 mg/1 of PAC to the system. Carbon particles were removed from the reactor at different intervals, fixed, and examined by the scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs illustrated a variety of bioforms on activated carbon surfaces. These multiplied with incubation period, providing evidence of improved mineralization of waste.