A Study on Denitrification by Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria for the Industrial Wastewater Contain Fluoride and Nitrogen

Abstract

Nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid are used for acid pickling in zirconium alloy tubing manufacturing process. Nitrate and fluoride in the wastewater were treated by chemical coagulation and SOD (Sulfur Oxidation Denitrification) process. This study is investigated the effect of fluoride concentration and the optimal condition for SOD process. The limited fluoride concentration for SOD process was below 20 mg F-/L. The adjusted pH and alkalinity by NaOH and NaHCO3 was shown to be more effective for removal of nitrate compared with using NaOH. Furthermore, the microbial activator mixed trace elements and ingredient for alkalinity did not only supplement with alkalinity but also enhance the growth and proliferation for sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. As a result, the inorganic industrial wastewater was successfully treated by the microbial activator in SOD process without continuous addition of seed sludge. Finally, SOD process was shown to remove nitrate in industrial wastewater and to contribute the microbial activator for activation of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.