Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1989

Laboratory-scale a nd pilot-scale studies were conducted to evaluate the efficiencies of AGWSP {Attached-Growth Waste Stabilization Pond) and WSP {Waste Stabilization Pond ) in treating phenolic wastewater. Continuous loading as well as one-day shock loading at various levels of influent phenol concentrations were made in the laboratory-scale stud y. Experimental results obtained in t h is research revealed that at steady- state conditions, more than 93 % soluble chemical oxygen demand {SCOD) removal efficiency was achieved at influent phenol concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 mg/L. Moreover, at 400 mg/L and 500 mg/L of influent phenol concentrations 87.8 % and 93.0 % were attained in the AGWSP un its, respectively . On e-day shock loadings at 100 and 300 mg/L of influent phenol concentrations resulted in average SCOD removal efficiencies of 94.8 % and 96.0 %, respectively. The phenol s hock loadings of 100 and 300 mg/L administered to the pilot-scale units for one day resulted in average SCOD reductions of about 95.0% and 96.2%, respectively, during the steady-state conditions. The AGWSP was found to be more resistant to one-day influent phenol shock loading compared to WSP . Albeit, there appeared to be no significant difference in treatment efficiency between the AGWSP and the WSP units when phenol was continuously fed under the experimental conditions employed in this study.