Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Cytotoxicity of untreated coal liquefaction process water (and a comparison with gasification process water)

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

Untreated scrubber water from the Char Oil Energy Development coal liquefaction process was examined for pernicious effects on the protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis. Cells were exposed to varying process water concentrations and their behavior, oxygen uptake, and population growth were monitored. Reductions in cell number and motility were directly related to concentration and length of exposure, with concentrations as high as 5% and exposures to 24 hours. The product water caused a nonlinear, dose-dependent reduction in oxygen uptake across a 2-5% concentration range. Population growth was reduced by concentrations as low as 0.2% process water. Growth rate and test population final density were found to be inversely proportional to concentration across the 0.2-1% range. Comparisons with the coal gasification product water were discussed. (4 graphs, 8 references, 1 table)

Research Organization:
Pan American Univ.
OSTI ID:
5643259
Journal Information:
J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 13:9; ISSN JEVQA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English