Oily Sludge Biodetoxification
Abstract
NFESC constructed a full scale Oily Sludge Bioreactor treatment system at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP), Scranton, PA. The system consists of 2 bioreactors that can be operated in series. The first reactor functions as a pretreatment tank & skims excess oil that can be recycled. The second reactor (40k gallon capacity) consists of commercial pumps & blowers used to recirculate & aerate the wastewater. Bacterial growth is enhanced by the addition of organic & inorganic nutrients & the system requires a pH controller. Treated wastewater is discharged through a tube filter & a filter press is used to consolidate the solids (biomass & graphite). Full scale operational testing of the treatment system shows that the hydrocarbons in the oily sludge are degraded to below the discharge limit (100ppm) in less than one week after the bulk of the oil from the pretreatment tank is removed. Exhaust air from the reactors is passed through activated carbon & the concentration of the VOCs in the air vented to the atmosphere is below practical quantitation limits (PQL). Biological treatment can be cost effective & eliminate liabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA557577
Entities
People
- Fred Goetz
- Sonny F. Maga
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command