Biological Treatment of Persistent Substances in Complex Wastewaters

Biological wastewater treatment systems are able to efficiently remove complex substances from industrial wastewater. However, industrial wastewater contains a large number of organic and inorganic compounds, some of which are difficult or impossible to biodegrade or can have a toxic effect on humans and the environment. Specialized processes and technologies help to ensure effective purification. The variety of pollutants and their concentrations present complex challenges in terms of operational safety and plant efficiency.

Growing demands on the manufacturing industry

Increasing awareness for environmental sustainability and water protection leads to constantly evolving regulatory requirements for the discharge quality of industrial wastewater. National and international legislation demands ever lower limits for pollutants in order to minimize the impact on ecosystems and safeguard water quality in the long term. This applies in particular to persistent organic compounds and toxic metals that can result from industrial processes. For companies, this not only means the need to optimize their wastewater treatment systems technologically in order to ensure compliance with these requirements but often goes hand in hand with considerable investment and operating costs. In addition, continuous monitoring and reporting obligations are a central component of these regulations, which increases the pressure on industrial companies to deploy more sustainable and effective wastewater treatment solutions.

The potential of biological wastewater treatment has not yet been fully exploited in most industrial wastewater treatment plants. Through targeted investigations, simulations and biotechnological approaches, we at IGB combine biology with engineering. With our expertise and equipment, we optimize biological treatment processes for the elimination of pollutants that are difficult to biodegrade under normal conditions.

To this end, we investigate biodegradability in accordance with OECD standards, for example using Zahn-Wellens tests. Here, initial assessments of the potential of various measures can be derived on a small scale within a short period of time. In the next step, tests can be carried out on a larger scale (20 L, 200 L) in our sequencing batch reactors (SBR).

The effects of the identified measures on biodegradability can also be simulated. The measures can include modified aeration, modified retention times or the addition of nutrients or other treatment additives. With our comprehensive analytical equipment, important parameters such as TOC, nutrients or heavy metals are regularly monitored as required.

Isolation and cultivation of specialized microorganisms

Microorganisms, especially bacteria, are very adaptable. Under the right conditions, bacterial communities can develop that are able to metabolize substances that are difficult to break down.

With our microbiological expertise, we are able to identify, isolate, adapt and cultivate these bacteria. In addition, we have the laboratory technology required to develop specific strains for the degradation of substances. This means that specialized bacteria that can break down a specific pollutant can be introduced into existing biological communities by inoculation, thus sustainably increasing the purification performance with regard to specific substances.