Removal of Chlorophenols and Chlorolignins from Bleaching Effluent by Combined Chemical and Biological Treatment

Organic matter from spent bleaching effluents (from chlorination (C) or extraction (E) stages, or a mixture of both) was effectively precipitated as a water insoluble complex with polyethyleneimine (polyimine). Precipitation was performed in a pilot unit operating automatically. The colour, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) were reduced in the C-effluent by up to 92%, 65%, and 84%, respectively. Regarding the E-stage effluent, reduction was up to 76% for colour, 70% for COD, and 73% for AOX. No significant reduction of BOD₅ was observed in the supernatant of the treated effluent. Fish toxicity was greatly reduced. Laccase increased the molecular weight of the effluent constituents, thus facilitating subsequent precipitation. After treatment with laccase, the bulk of mono- and dichlorophenol is coprecipitated with the liquors from the C and E bleaching stages. Fungi (representatives of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium) achieved an appreciable level of degradation of chlorophenols and other chloroorganic compounds from the bleaching effluent.