The Application of Predenitrification Nitrification Technology for Trace Contaminant Control

Predenitrification nitrification (PDN) technology was applied in two stage anoxic-aerobic systems treating coke plant wastewaters and coal liquefaction process condensates. Both activated sludge and biological fluidized bed modes of operation were investigated for their potential to remove ammonia, phenol, thiocyanate, cyanide and a wide range of trace organic contaminants. It was demonstrated that during nitrification of these complex wastewaters, simultaneous removal of most of the conventional and trace organic contaminants was achieved. Specifically, of the base/neutral extractable organic compounds, only di-n-butyl phthalate was consistently found in treated effluent samples at greater than trace levels (0.01 mg/l). It appears that trace organic contaminant control in complex industrial wastewaters can be achieved by the application of PDN technology.