Peracetic acid as an alternative wastewater disinfectant to chlorine dioxide

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of peracetic acid with that of chlorine dioxide in the disinfection of wastewater from a sewage treatment plant (serving about 650 000 inhabitants) that has been using peracetic acid as a disinfectant since 1998. Methods and Results: A total of 23 samplings were made, each consisting of three samples: from secondary effluent, effluent disinfected with 2 mg l−1 of peracetic acid and effluent disinfected with 2·2 mg l−1 of chlorine dioxide (contact time 20 min). For each sample, measurements were made of the heterotrophic plate count at 36°C, total and faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, pH, suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand (COD). During the first phase of the experiment the peracetic acid was seen to be less efficient than chlorine dioxide. To improve the disinfectant action a system of mechanical agitation was added which led to a greater efficiency in the inactivation of bacteria of faecal origin. Conclusions: Both products were found to be influenced by the level of microbial contamination, the amount of suspended solids and COD but not by the pH of the effluent before disinfection. The immediate mixing of the wastewater and disinfectant caused a greater reduction in enterococci. Significance and Impact of the Study: Since peracetic acid was seen to produce a high abatement of micro‐organisms, it can be considered as a valid alternative to chlorine dioxide in the disinfection of wastewaters.

Peracids in water treatment: A critical review

“…Chlorine dioxide has been reported to be either more effective than PAA [126] or similar [130] in terms of disinfection efficiency against typical bacterial indicators. Contradicting results were obtained by De Luca et al [131], who concluded PAA to be preferable to chlorine dioxide, since it was less affected by organic matter, had a better disinfection efficiency, and was more economical and easier to apply.…”

The fungicidal efficacy of various commercial disinfectants used in the food industry

“…The results from the cluster analysis indicate that, at the concentrations used QAC(b) and iodophor-based disinfectants were similarly effective against all of the microorganisms tested, while peracetic acid-based disinfectant was only effective against the moulds. PAA has shown good disinfection efficiency against enteric bacteria in wastewaters, but viruses, bacterial spores and protozoan cysts are more resistant (Liberti and Notarnicola, 1999;Stampi et al, 2001Stampi et al, , 2002Salgot et al, 2002;Wagner et al, 2002;Veschetti et al, 2003;Koivunen and Heinonen-Tanski, 2005). In addition, peracetic acid-based disinfectant might be used for the inhibition of food borne fungi as an industrial surface disinfectant.…”

Microbe removal in secondary effluent by filtration

“…1.5-2 ppm of peracetic acid or 2.2 ppm of chlorine dioxide (Stampi et al, 2001(Stampi et al, , 2002.…”

“…It is active against enteric bacteria, and to a lesser degree against viruses, bacterial spores and protozoan cysts (Stampi et al, 2001(Stampi et al, , 2002Veschetti et al, 2003;Koivunen and Heinonen-Tanski, 2005b). Peracetic acid is easy to use, has no quenching requirement (Kitis, 2004) and does not generate any significant amounts of toxic or mutagenic DBPs, or chemical residues in effluents (Monarca et al, 2000;Veschetti et al, 2003;Crebelli et al, 2005;Koivunen and Heinonen-Tanski, 2005b).…”