Abstract

BECERRA, Dorance et al. Heterogeneous Photocatalysis and an Anaerobic Biological Process for Leachate Treatment. Ciencia en Desarrollo [online]. 2022, vol.13, n.2, pp.113-130.  Epub Apr 28, 2023. ISSN 0121-7488.  https://doi.org/10.19053/01217488.v13.n2.2022.13851.

The research evaluates the treatment of landfill leachate by coupling TiO2-UVso1ar photocatalysis and an anaerobic biological process (SMA test). The photocatalysis is developed in a Composite Parabolic Collector with an area of 0.83 m, 20L treatment tank and initial leachate concentration of 400 mg-L-1 COD; H2O2 (fixed dose 300 mg.L-1) as oxidation assistant and the combination of different TiO2 levels (100, 350, 600 mg.L-1) and pH (3, 6, 9). In the biological test, for a maximum load of 4,500 mg.L-1 of COD of leachate, 2.0 g.L-1 of VSS of inoculum and a HRT of 23 days, there were no significant percentages of COD removal, evidencing the recalcitrant character of these leachates. During the photocatalytic treatment there was a 57% DOC mineralization (100 mg.L-1 TiO2; pH = 3; Accumulated energy = 60kJ.L -1), which evidences the capacity of the process to support the pollutant load of the leachate. The combined process (AOP-Biological) allows an additional mineralization in the biological process in terms of DOC of 21%, for a total contribution of the coupling of 78%, which demonstrates the capacity of the AOP to convert a toxic wastewater into one with characteristics more suitable for further degradation in anaerobic biological reactors.

Keywords : Anaerobic biodegradability; Coupling of treatments; Heterogeneous photocatalysis; Leachate; Titanium dioxide TiO₂.

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