Integrated process for biological treatment of sulfate-containing industrial effluents

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. - Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7040811

Maree, J P; Gerber, A; Hill, E

During this investigation, upflow anaerobic, packed bed or upflow anaerobic, suspended sludge reactors were used. The biological process, where, following the addition of an organic carbon source such as molasses, converts sulfate to gaseous hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide can be converted to elemental sulfur and heavy metals, which are normally present in mining effluents, are precipitated as insoluble metal sulfides and completely removed. Remaining hydrogen sulfide traces are aerobically reconverted to sulfate, while calcium carbonate crystallization and degradation of organic carbon residuals are achieved simultaneously. Cyanide in the effluent biodegrades. Any remaining weakly biodegradable components can be removed in a secondary anaerobic stage. Thus, this process produces reusable water and elemental sulfur.

• OSTI ID: 7040811
• Journal Information: J. - Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States), Journal Name: J. - Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States) Vol. 59:12; ISSN JWPFA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BIODEGRADATION
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CYANIDES
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
METALS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REMOVAL
SULFATES
SULFIDES
SULFUR
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
WASTES