Physicochemical Treatment of Bleach Plant Filtrates and Final Effluents for the Reduction of Chlorinated Organic Compounds, 1992 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Three physicochemical treatment technologies (alum, powdered activated carbon, and an ion exchange adsorbent, SorbPlus) were applied to softwood bleach plant filtrates and final effluents collected at three bleach kraft mills with existing biological wastewater treatment facilities. Testing was performed on a bench-scale basis to develop basic treatability data regarding the removal of chlorinated phenolic compounds and AOX by each of the treatment technologies investigated. The results of this screening study indicate that AOX removal efficiencies on the order of 50 to 70 percent are achievable by alum or SorbPlus treatment. However, neither of these two technologies was effective towards removing individual chlorinated phenolic compounds. Due to uncertainties in analytical procedures, performance data for powdered activated carbon will not be available until supplemental studies are completed.

Based on Echinoderm bioassay test results, only alum treatment was found to significantly reduce chronic toxicity associated with the three final effluents tested. Each of the three treatment technologies examined was capable of reducing filtrate and final effluent color levels by at least 75 percent.