Modeling of Toxic Wastewater Treatment by Expanded‐Bed Anaerobic GAC Reactors

Abstract

The expanded‐bed anaerobic GAC reactor, operating with GAC replacement has been demonstrated to treat toxic wastes effectively. The concentration of adsorbable toxic compounds, the hydraulic detention time within the treatment system, and the GAC replacement rate represent three parameters that are strongly related and effectively control process performance. This study investigates the impact of the aforementioned process variables on treatment efficiency. A steady‐state model that includes representations of the various phenomena that occur within the anaerobic reactors such as biodegradation, inhibition, competitive adsorption, and attached biomass shearing is presented. Using independently determined adsorption parameters, measured shear loss coefficients, and literature values for biodegradation kinetic parameters, the model predictions are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.