[Evaluating the performance of Anaerobic Migrating Blanket Reactor [AMBR] in biodegradation of perchloroethylene [PCE]]

ABSTRACT

PCE is a chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon which has been widely used in some industries. The aim of this study was to determine the PCE biodegradation potential in anaerobic migrating blanket reactor [AMBR].In this study the concentration of PCE was more than that of other studies. So far AMBR has not been used for bioremediation of this compound. This study was an Experimental - laboratory study. A laboratory scale anaerobic migrating blanket reactor [AMBR] with a capacity of 10 L and with four compartments was used for biological degradation of PCE in synthetic substrate. Performance of the reactor was evaluated during 4 stages with PCE loading rate of 3.75 to 75 mgPCE/L.d. Excel software was used for data analysis. Optimum COD removal with 98% efficiency was obtained with COD loading of 3.1gCOD/L.d. For PCE removal, the optimum efficiency rate was 99.8% which was achieved with PCE loading rate of 37.5 mgPCE/L.d. The mean values for COD and PCE removal during the whole activity period of reactor were 91.4 and 99.5%, respectively. The results indicated that use of AMBR in full-scale studies using real industrial wastewater contaminated with PCE is a simple, efficient and reliable method for removal of PCE from industrial waste water