Performance Evaluation of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria in Removing Lead, Chromium and Nickel by Anaerobic Packed Bed Reactor Publisher



Fakhri Heravi MR¹ ; Gharibi H² ; Jaafari J³ ; Mesdaghinia A⁴ ; Mahvi AH^{4, 5}
Source: Desalination and Water Treatment Published:2017

Abstract

Synthetic wastewater containing Pb, Cr (VI), and Ni was treated by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) in a bench scale, down-flow, anaerobic packed bed reactor filled by ceramic saddle as media. Synthetic wastewater was made in the laboratory, and SRB cultures and their adaptation were done before beginning of the experiments. The experiments were conducted in 12 and 24 h of operation under sulfate concentrations of 800 and 1,600 mg l–1. Various concentrations of Pb (5, 150, and 300 mg l–1), Cr (VI) (5, 50, and 100 mg l–1), and Ni (5, 15, and 30 mg l–1) were used in these experiments. Heavy metals removal efficiencies for the concentrations of 300 mg l–1 Pb, 100 mg l–1 Cr (VI), and 30 mg l–1 Ni in 12 h of operation under sulfate concentration of 800 mg l–1 were 99.6, 98.11, and 94.7%, respectively. The main mechanisms of the removal in this work were precipitation of Pb, Cr (VI), and Ni as metal sulfides as well as adsorption on the SRB mass. The results from the present study indicate that SRB mass in the down-flow anaerobic packed bed with ceramic saddle as media is efficient for Pb, Cr (VI), and Ni removal from industrial wastewater. © 2017 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.