Transformation of phthalic acid diesters in an anaerobic/anoxic/oxic leachate treatment process

Publication date: Available online 30 July 2019Source: Chinese Journal of Chemical EngineeringAuthor(s): Qun Wang, Lanhui Jiang, Chengran Fang, Hongzhi Mao, Haifeng ZhuangAbstractTransformations of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) have been investigated in anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A/A/O) leachate treatment processes. Although the DBP removal processes are different when the DBP initial concentration is different, the overall system DBP removal efficiencies are high (> 94%). DEHP is much more difficult to remove than DBP. The removal efficiency of DEHP is approximately 75–78%. The results of mass balance calculations indicate that approximately 33.7–50.7% of the DBP is degraded by the activated sludge, 48.9–64.9% accumulates in the system, and 0.4–1.4% is contained in the final effluent. Approximately 15.0–19.0% of the DEHP is degraded by activated microcosms, 75.8–79.0% accumulates in the system, and 5.2–6.0% is contained in the final effluent. Biodegradation and adsorption to the activated sludge are the main mechanisms for DBP removal and adsorption to the activated sludge is the main mechanism for DEHP removal. The different removal mechanisms of the two PAEs may be related to their different molecular structures. However, PAEs are not really removed when they adsorb onto the sludge. Therefore, methods for decreasing PAEs adsorption and increasing the biodegradation efficiencies of the leachate treatment processes should be ...

Source: Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering - July 31, 2019 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research