Biological Treatment Solves Low Temperature Wastewater Problems

Authors:

Camille Charette

Jean Herbineaux

Reichhold Chemicals Limited

Reichhold Chemicals implemented a biological wastewater treatment system to address diverse and highly contaminated effluents from their Quebec plant, including phenols and formaldehyde. The system, using submerged turbine aerators, integral clarifiers, and biomass recirculation, proved effective even at low temperatures, achieving over 94% BOD and COD reduction. Advanced instrumentation and pH control allowed continuous monitoring and adjustment, ensuring reliable treatment performance under extreme and variable conditions.

Key Learnings

• Biological treatment can effectively manage diverse and highly contaminated industrial wastewater, including phenols and formaldehyde.
• Submerged turbine aerators and integral clarifiers improve efficiency and allow operation at low temperatures, maintaining high biomass levels.
• Proper pH control and biomass recirculation are critical for maintaining microbial activity and handling shock loads or upsets.
• Advanced instrumentation enables continuous monitoring and automatic adjustments, ensuring consistent wastewater treatment performance.
• The system can adapt to extreme seasonal temperature variations, demonstrating robustness and reliability in cold weather operations.
• Pilot studies and gradual system modifications are essential for optimizing efficiency and minimizing operational disruptions.