Abstract:
To study the effect of hexavalent chromium on sulfate and nitrate reduction in Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) system with the ratio of COD:SO42-:NO3- at 22.2:1:2 and operate with upflow velocity 2 m/hr, 3 m/hr and 4 m/hr. The first start up used granular sludge came from Phatumtani Sermsuk Co.,LTD., and had sugar as cabon source. In the steady state, COD removal efficiencies of all reactors were more than 90%. From the results obtained from the first period, it was found that granular sludge from sulfate and nitrate reduction in batch test experiment from reactor that had upflow velocity 2, 3 and 4 m/hr the reaction rate of sulfate and nitrate reduction decreased when upflow velocity increased for both fresh and fermented synthetic wastewater. And the fresh synthetic wastewater gave better sulfate and nitrate reduction performances better than those of fermented synthetic wastewater. In reactor test, when upflow velocity increased, the reaction rate of sulfate and nitrate reduction decreased and nitrate reduction was completed even in the lower of sludge height. From the results of effect of hexavalent chromium on sulfate and nitrate reduction in batch test found that high concentration of hexavalent chromium will decrease sulfate and nitrate reduction. In the second period with the feed hexavalent chromium 20 mg/l in all reactors, but having different upflow velocities to 2,3 and 4 m/hr, it was found that sulfate and nitrate reduction tended to increase when upflow velocity increased. After 21 days of system operation, the reactors with upflow velocies of 2 and 4 m/hr became malfunctioned due to chromium toxicity. Thus upflow velocity 3 m/hr was considered as an appropriate condition for further experiment. Finally the third period with feed hexavalent chromium 40,50 and 100 mg/l in reactors, it was found that sulfate and nitrate reduction tended to decrease when upflow velocity increased in the sludge height ranging from o to 110 cm or HRT 2.96 hr. After 5 days of system operation, all reactors had failed due to chromium toxicity. Therefore, chromium is considered to be toxic to EGSB system for sulfate and nitrate reduction when chromium concentration was found in the range of 20-100 mg/l.