United States
                   Environmental Protection
                   Agency
Water Engineering
Research Laboratory
Cincinnati OH 45268
                   Research and Development
 EPA/600/S2-86/004 Mar. 1986
4>EPA         Project  Summary
                   Evaluation  of  Activated
                   Carbon  for  Enhanced  COD
                   Removal  from Pharmaceutical
                   Wastewater

                   Richard Osantowski and Richard Wullschleger
                     Two activated carbon technologies
                   were evaluated for pharmaceutical
                   wastewater treatment: powdered acti-
                   vated carbon (PAC) added to an acti-
                   vated sludge system  (PACT®) and
                   granular activated carbon (GAC) treat-
                   ment of pharmaceutical plant second-
                   ary effluent. The lack of information on
                   applicable removal technologies for
                   total chemical oygen demand (TCOD)
                   prevented promulgation of best avail-
                   able technology economically achiev-
                   able (BAT) limitations and new source
                   performance standards (NSPS) for
                   TCOD for pharmaceutical manufactur-
                   ing plants in  1983 (EPA/440/1-83/
                   084). The purpose of this study was,
                   therefore, to evaluate  the ability of
                   these technologies to  achieve con-
                   sistent reductions in the effluent TCOD
                   of pharmaceutical wastewaters.
                     Pharmaceutical wastewaters from a
                   manufacturing  plant that produces
                   fermentation products (Subcategory A)
                   and chemical synthesis products (Sub-
                   category  C) were treated in  trailer-
                   mounted  pilot plants. The biological
                   treatment train consisted of three
                   activated  sludge systems operated in
                   parallel. PAC was added to two of the
                   units in selected dosages. The third unit
                   was used as a control.  The physical-
                   chemical treatment train consisted of
                   chemical  coagulation with alum and
                   anionic polymer, pH adjustment with
                   caustic (when needed),  clarification,
                   multi-media filtration, and GAC ad-
                   sorption.
                    The PAC-enhanced biological treat-
                   ment train reduced effluent TCOD well
 below the level required by best practi-
 cable control technology currently
 available (BPT). PAC also improved the
 settling rate of the mixed liquor sus-
 pended solids over that of the control.
 However, a viscous floating mass of
 mixed liquor solids developed in the
 PAC units (but not in the control) and
 resulted in premature termination of
 the study. The GAC physical-chemical
 treatment train also reduced pharma-
 ceutical plant effluent TCOD below the
 average BPT level.
   This Project Summary was devel-
 oped by the EPA's Water Engineering
 Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH,
 to announce key findings of the re-
 search project that is fully documented
 in two separate volumes of the same
 title (see Project Report ordering infor-
 mation at back).

 Introduction
   In November 1982, the U.S. Environ-
 mental  Protection Agency (EPA) pro-
 posed effluent limitations and standards
(EPA/440/1-82/084) for the pharma-
ceutical manufacturing point source
category. Some of the proposed regula-
tions limited the discharge of TCOD, a
 nonconventional pollutant, from existing
and new pharmaceutical manufacturing
facilities. However, because of a lack of
information on applicable TCOD removal
technologies, limitations and standards
for TCOD were not promulgated along
with the other regulations on October 27,
 1983.
  In April 1984, EPA decided to conduct
pilot-scale performance evaluations  of

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activated carbon treatment technologies
using  actual pharmaceutical waste-
waters. The purpose of these studies was
to evaluate the ability of these technolo-
gies to achieve  consistent reductions in
the  effluent  TCOD of pharmaceutical
wastewater.
   At a Subcategory A and C pharma-
ceutical manufacturing plant  that used
secondary treatment and reported high
TCOD concentrations in their  discharge
monitoring  report, two  technologies
were evaluated:
   1. PAC  addition to  the  activated-
     sludge aeration basin, and
   2. GAC treatment of the secondary
     effluuent.


Quality Assurance/Quality
Control Methods
   Sample analyses were  conducted on-
site  in a field laboratory  and  in  a base
laboratory in another state. All samples
were collected  by the pilot  plant op-
erators using  prelabeled containers.
Analyses for TCOD, soluble  chemical
oxygen demand (SCOD), total biochemi-
cal oxygen demand  (TBOD),  nitrogen-
inhibited biochemical  oxygen demand
(NIBOD), nitrogen-inhibited soluble bio-
chemical  oxygen  demand (NISBOD),
chloride, total suspended solids  (TSS),
and volatile suspended solids (VSS) were
performed at the onsite laboratory. All
other analyses  were performed at the
base laboratory.  The base laboratory also
provided computer support to the field
and  base laboratories for analytical
scheduling, sample labeling,  chain of
custody, and  other quality assurance/
quality control (QA/QC) functions.
   All samples  were refrigerated after
collection and were iced during shipment
to the base laboratory. Samples that were
analyzed onsite  were analyzed the same
day they were  collected, and no addi-
tional chemical  preservation  methods
were required. Samples sent to the base
laboratory for phosphate, nitrogen, and
total organic carbon (TOC) analyses were
preserved with  sulfuric acid addition to
pH2.
   TCOD and SCOD analyses were per-
formed by the Hach* colorimetric method
(Federal Register, Vol. 45, No. 78, April
21, 1980).  All  other analyses for the
conventional parameters were per-
formed according to the procedures de-
scribed \r\Methods for Chemical Analysis
of Water and Wastes (EPA/600/4-79/
020, U.S. Environmental  Protection

'Mention of trade names or commercial products
does not constitute endorsement or recommendation
for use.
                                  2
Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1979). At least
10 percent of all samples were analyzed
in replicate for all  conventional para-
meters. At least 5 percent of all samples
were spiked with appropriate reagents
for analysis of all  conventional para-
meters except TSS and VSS. Blanks and
reference samples  were analyzed for
each analytical run or sample lot.
   QA/QC objectives for precision were
to have a maximum of  20 percent dif-
ference between  replicates for TBOD,
NIBOD, NISBOD, and VSS. A maximum
of 15 percent difference between repli-
cates was sought for all other conven-
tional parameters. Accuracy objectives
were ± 20 percent  spiked sample re-
covery for TBOD,  NIBOD, and NISBOD,
and ±15 percent spiked sample recovery
for other parameters.
   Of 652 replicate samples, 618 (94.8
percent) were within the precision per-
cent difference criteria. Of 322 spiked
samples, 303 (94.1 percent) were within
the percent recovery  objectives.
   In all, 3,732 analyses were performed,
with 1.5 percent of the analytical results
deleted for QA/QC reasons. The project
had a 98.1 percent completion rate.
Biological Study
   From September  to December 1984,
an 83-day study was conducted using
one biological pilot plant as the control
and two biological  pilot plants as the
experimental  (PAC-fed)  systems. The
three  activated  sludge units were op-
erated in parallel.

System Operation
   Raw pharmaceutical wastewater was
collected just before it entered the full-
scale  aeration basins and was used as
the feed to  the pilot  plants. This flow
consisted of neutralized and equalized
pharmaceutical  waste combined with a
nominal amount (=* 6 percent) of mac-
erated, chlorinated sanitary waste.
   The two experimental activated sludge
systems  were  identified  as biological
treatment system  nos. 1 and 2 (BTS-1
and BTS-2). Each system consisted of an
aeration  tank  (5,940  L  in  BTS-1 and
5,560 L in BTS-2) and a 2,840 L circular
center feed clarifier. Each aeration tank
had three aeration cells in series, and the
air flow to each cell was controlled  in-
dependently. Pumps were used to supply
wastewater,  return  sludge,  and add
chemicals to each system.  PAC slurry
was pumped to the  first cell of the ex-
perimental systems,  and sodium hydrox-
ide was pumped to all three systems as
needed  to maintain an  adequate  pr
range.
   The control pilot plant (BTS-3) con
sisted of  an  aeration tank with three
aeration cells in series (total volume o
180  L) and a 47-L secondary clarifier
Peristaltic pumps  were used to fee<
wastewater to the system, to recirculat<
settled sludge, and to waste sludge. Th<
raw wastewater was pumped to a mixei
equalization tank that served as the feei
reservoir  for each of the three pile
plants.
   The targeted aeration basin hydrauli
retention  times  (HRT's) and solids  re
tention times (SRT's) were 3 and 10 days
respectively, for  all  systems. Thesi
values were similar to those used in th
full-scale  plant  before the  start of th
pilot plant tests. Solids were wasted fror
the third cell of each  aeration basin t
allow a more positive contrrsttest perioc
208 and 827 mg/L of PAC were added t
the influents of BTS-1 and BTS-2,  re
spectively, and in the second test perioc
496 and 1,520 mg/L of PAC were adde
to BTS-1  and BTS-2, respectively.
   Daily composite samples were take
from the  raw feed wastewater and fror
the three clarifier effluents using  autc
matic sampling equipment, and from th
wasted mixed liquor obtained from th
waste solids holding tanks.

Test Phases
   The planned pilot plant operation wa
scheduled for a series of five phases a
described below:

Phase 1  — Start-up
   The three biological pilot plants wer
operated for 10 days after being seede
with mixed  liquor  from the  full-seal
aeration  basins. The  objective of th
phase was to determine whether th
effluents were  comparable  for each <
the three pilot plants.

Phase 2 — Acclimation
   Following Phase 1, PAC addition to th
influents  was initiated for BTS-1 ar
BTS-2  at rates of 208 mg/L and 82
mg/L, respectively. Single doses of PA
(as a 10-percent slurry) were added
each aeration cell  of BTS-1 and  BTS
each day for the first 10 days to reach th
calculated equilibrium  PAC concentr
tion, and the operation of all three uni
was continued for an additional 13 day

Phase 3 — Intensive Test Perio
   Pilot plant operation continued for 1
days with  Phase 2 operational cone
tions, but the frequency of sampling ai
analysis was increased.

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 Phase 4 — Transition and
 Acclimation
   PAC feed to the influent of BTS-1 and
 BTS-2 was increased to 496 and 1,520
 mg/L, respectively. Single doses of PAC
 (as a 10-percent slurry) were again added
 to each aeration cell of BTS-1 and BTS-2
 for each of the first 10 days to reach the
 calculated  equilibrium  PAC concentra-
 tions. Operation was planned to continue
 until steady  state  conditions were
 achieved based on effluent SCOD mea-
 surements. Following equilibrium attain-
 ment, a second 2-week intensive sam-
 pling period (Phase 5)  was to  be con-
 ducted; but as discussed below, Phase 5
 was not initiated.
Operational Problems
   During Phase 3, the pH began to de-
crease significantly in all three systems.
Samples collected for nitrogen analyses
confirmed that nitrification was occuring
in the three systems and the addition of
caustic was  initiated  to maintain  the
mixed liquor pH near 7. BTS-1 and BTS-2
also showed  evidence  of  significant
denitification  in the  clarifiers, which
caused some of the sludge to float. The
sludge recycle rates for  these  systems
were increased in an attempt to maintain
amall sludge inventories in the clarifiers
and thereby minimize the floating sludge
in the experimental clarifiers.
   Near the end of Phase 4, a viscous
floating layer of mixed  liquor suspended
solids (VFMLS) formed on the surface of
the clarifiers and the aeration basins of
the two PAC-fed systems. This layer re-
sulted  in  significant reductions in  the
mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in
the aeration basins of BTS-1  and BTS-2.
The VFMLS developed first in BTS-1 and
about  10  days later in BTS-2.  The
phenomenon did not occur in BTS-3, the
control system. As  a result  of  this
problem, the Phase  5  intensive  test
period  was cancelled.  However, data
generated during Phase 4, just before the
onset of the viscous layers, were used to
evaluate the effects of the 496 and 1,520
mg/L  PAC feed  rates to BTS-1  and
BTS-2, respectively. Also, during Phase 4
(prior to the VFMLS formation), the aera-
tion basin effluent line plugged and  the
MLSS overflowed the aeration basin of
BTS-2;  this resulted in  a significant loss
of both volatile MLSS (MLVSS)and PAC.
As a result, the data presented  later for
the 1,520 mg/L PAC system were col-
lected  when  the  system was  not  in
equilibrium, at least as far as the MLSS
concentration was concerned.
Test Results

Feedwater Quality
   TSS  averaged  639  mg/L for 83
samples. The raw waste TCOD was quite
variable, ranging from 2,260 to 12,000
mg/L, and it averaged 7,030 mg/L. The
average TBOD concentration was  2,830
mg/L, with a range from 1,700 to  4,400
mg/L. Nitrogen and  phosphate  were
present in adequate amounts in the raw
wastewater (BOD:N and BOD:P  ratios
were less than 20 and 100, respectively).


Pilot Systems
   During Phase 1, the  effluent  SCOD
from BTS-1 and BTS-2 averaged 754and
770 mg/L,  respectively, whereas the
effluent from BTS-3 averaged 849  mg/L.
This variation did not result from design
differences between the  pilot plants but
from an initial problem created by the use
of a different (colder) air supply for aera-
tion of BTS-3.  Once this fact was recog-
nized, heaters were installed in the aera-
tion basin of BTS-3 to raise the tempera-
ture to that of the other two systems. The
average  Phase 2 temperatures of 31°,
32°, and 30°C for  BTS-1,  BTS-2, and
BTS-3, respectively, demonstrated that
this problem was corrected.
   Table  1 summarizes the average op-
erating parameters and effluent quality
during Phases 3 and  the latter part of
Phase 4. Average HRT's ranged from 3.0
to 3.1 days, and average SRT's ranged
from 9.4 to 10.0 days. During Phase 3,
average  aeration  basin  temperatures
ranged from 31.5° to 32.5°C, and during
Phase 4, they  ranged from 27° to 28°C
and from 24° to 27°C for the two interim
test periods, respectively. Average MLSS
for the control system (BTS-3) during the
three time periods ranged from 4,770 to
4,790 mg/L.  For  the  experimental
systems  (BTS-1 and  2), the  average
MLSS concentrations ranged from  5,850
to 8,830 mg/L as the PAC addition  to the
influent was increased from 208 to  1,520
mg/L.
   The addition of PAC resulted in some
improvement  in sludge settleability;
however,  the  MLSS  settling rate re-
mained at very low levels (from 0.01  to
0.05 cm/min). The effect of  the PAC on
the average effluent SCOD concentra-
tions is  also shown in Table 1. During
Phase 3,  PAC feed rates of 208 and 827
mg/L resulted  in effluent SCOD'sof 459
and  265  mg/L, respectively, compared
with 825 mg/L for the control. During
Phase 4, a PAC feed of  496 mg/L re-
sulted in  an effluent SCOD of 314  mg/L
compared with 670 mg/L for the control.
 A PAC feed of 1,520 mg/L to BTS-2 in
 Phase 4 produced an effluent with 194
 mg/L of SCOD, and the control effluent
 contained in 583 mg/L.  As discussed
 earlier, the MLSS in BTS-2 during Phase
 4 was not in equilibrium.  If it had been,
 the effluent SCOD would  probably have
 been less than the reported 194 mg/L.

 Physical-Chemical Study
   Concurrent with the biological study,
 final effluent from the full-scale treat-
 ment system  was  treated  in  trailer-
 mounted pilot plants. The physical-
 chemical treatment train  consisted  of
 chemical coagulation with  alum and
 anionic  polymer; pH  adjustment with
 caustic  (when  needed);  clarification;
 multi-media filtration; and GAC adsorp-
 tion. The TSS removal technologies were
 used for pretreatment of the wastewater
 before carbon adsorption because of the
 high TSS concentrations (an average of
 341  mg/L and a range of 65 to 1,560
 mg/L. Pretreatment for TSS removal was
 necessary, but optimizing this pretreat-
 ment was not an objective of this study.
   Initially, an attempt was made to op-
 erate the carbon columns in the down-
 flow mode.  However, a combination  of
 rapidly changing chemical demand of the
 feed water plus poor performance of the
 multi-media filter created  a large carry-
 over of TSS to the carbon column system.
 As a result, the carbon columns had to be
 backwashed several  times during this
 run. A review of the first run's  results
 determined  that  design deficiencies  in
 the  backwash system of the  carbon
 columns were causing the bed to be
 mixed during this procedure, so the re-
 sults were  not representative.  Design
 changes were implemented, and a sec-
 ond run was initiated in the upflow mode.

 Feed Wastewater Characteristics
   Table 2  summarizes the pilot plant
 feed wastewater characteristics during
 the entire study as determined from 24-
 hr composite sample analyses.

Pretreatment Results
   The  pilot-scale  clarifier and filter
 were run continuously throughout the
 testing program. The feed rate to the pilot
 clarifier was 17 to 23 L/min (4.5 to 6.0
 gpm). This was equivalent to an overflow
 rate of 9 to  13 m3/day-m2 (230  to 305
 gal/day-ft2).  Chemical treatment before
 clarification  consisted of alum, anionic
 polyelectrolyte, and caustic addition (as
 needed for  pH control). Chemical feed
concentrations were based on onsite jar
testing.  Required alum   and  polymer
3

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 Table 1.     Operating Parameters and Average Effluent Quality During Phase 3 and the Latter Part of Phase 4

                                                        Phase 3                        Latter Part of Phase 4
                                                       Pay 34-47
                                         Day 62-65
                                           Day 71-76
Operating Parameter
                                                BTS-1
                    BTS-2
           BTS-3
          BTS-1*
           BTS-3
           BTS-2"
           BTS-:
Operational data:
   Feed flow, L/min
   PAC flow, L/min
   RS flow, L/min^
   Waste ML flow,
   PAC dosage, mg/L
   F/M,  g COD/g MLSS-day**
   HRT,  days
   SRT,  days

Mixed liquor data:
   Temperature, °C
   pH (range)
   DO, mg/Lft
   TSS.  mg/L

Effluent  data:
   TCOD. mg/L
   SCOD, mg/L
   TOO.  mg/L
   NIBOD.  mg/L
   NISBOD, mg/L
   TSS,  mg/L
   VSS.  mg/L

Removals:
   A verage feed TCOD, mg/L
   TCOD removal, %
          1.34
         0.018
          3.01
         0.420
          208
           3.1
           9.5
          32.5
        4.1-7.5
           3.3
         5850
          585
          459
          158
            16
           <6
            85
            60
         8120
          92.8
  1.26
 0.018
  408
 0.367
  827
   ND
   3.1
  10.0
    32
4.5-7.7
   3 4
  7690
   532
   265
   110
    15
   <5
   190
   158
  8120
  93.4
 0.044
     0
 0.163
 0.013
     0
  0.64
   3.0
   9.4
  31.5
6.0-8.7
   4.3
  4790
  1070
   825
   290
    27
    <8
   143
   109
  8120
  86.8
  1.38
 0.031
  3.80
 0.419
  496
   ND
   3.0
   9.7
    27
6.0-7.2
   3.6
  7000
   454
   314
   115
   NA
   NA
    59
    50
  7420
  93.9
 0.045
     0
 0.092
 0.013
     0
  0.69
   3.0
   9.8
    28
6.6-8.1
   5.0
  4770
   770
   670
   NA
   NA
    44
    46
  7420
  89.6
  1.27
 0.032
 6.37
 0.374
  1520
   ND
   3.0
  10.0
    24
6.7-7.5
   3.4
  8830
   334
   194
   NA
    12
     3
   108
    76
  6810
  95.1
 0.04'
     C
 0.09'
 o.oi:
     (
  0.7i
   3.C
   9.t
    2.
6.1-7.'
   4.i
  4781
   68!
   58:
   to
    It

    9i
    7(
  681 (
  89..
 * Data for periods just before onset of VFMLS on surfaces of aeration basins and secondary clarifiers
 t Return sludge
 ft Mixed liquor
 ** Food to microorganism ratio
 t Not determined
 ji Dissolved oxygen
 § Not analyzed
dosages ranged from 200 to 1,340 mg/L
and from 0.2 to 3.0 mg/L, respectively.
About  0.8  m3 (200 gal) of sludge  was
produced for every 3.8 m3 (1000 gal) of
wastewater treated  based on  30-min
settling tests.
   Following chemical  treatment  and
clarification, the  pharmaceutical plant
effluent was filtered using a downflow
granular multi-media filter with an effec-
tive filtering area of 0.1  m2 (1.0 ft2). The
filtration rate  during  the study  ranged
from 100 to 120 L/min-m2 (2.5 to 3.0
gpm/ft2). Filter media consisted  of two
grades of  garnet  sand (15  cm each)
covered by silica sand (38 cm) and a top
layer of anthracite  coal (51 cm). Table 3
summarizes the pretreatment efficiency.
All analyses except temperature (grab)
were  performed  on  24-hr  composite
samples. At the end of the study,  exami-
nation  of the multi-media filter revealed
that 41 cm (16 in.) of media had been lost
and that some intermixing of the media
had occurred.  The conclusion was that
this situation was created  by a design
deficiency in the filter backwash system,
and therefore, the filter removals were
not representative.

GAC Results
   Four columns were operated in series
in the upflow mode. Each of  the four
columns had an effective area of 0.1 m2
(1.0ft2). Insufficient time was available to
select  an  optimum carbon. Calgon's
Filtrasorb 300 was chosen because of its
successful application on similar waste
streams. Virgin carbon was used in each
of the four columns.
   Clarified and filtered pharmaceutical
plant final effluent was pumped through
the activated carbon columns. Each of
the four GAC columns  was loaded with
1.3 m (4.3 ft) of carbon. The system was
operated at a hydraulic flow rate of 37
L/min-m2 (0.9 gpm/ft2), which resulted
in an empty bed contact time (EBCT)of 35
min per column, or 140 min total.
   Grab samples were collected once per
                     day from  five locations  around  the
                     activated  carbon columns  during  the
                     GAC run. These included the influent anc
                     effluent from each column. The sample:
                     were analyzed for SCOD.
                        This GAC run was conducted over 42
                     days of operation.  During  this  period
                     199,830 L (52,795 gal) of pretreatec
                     pharmaceutical plant effluent was treatec
                     by the GAC columns. Each day during the
                     study,  the time  and cumulative  flow
                     totalizer readings were  recorded at the
                     time of sampling. This information was
                     used  to prepare SCOD breakthrough
                     curves.
                        Breakthrough is  defined as the pro
                     cessing time (or volume)  after which the
                     impurity concentration  in  any  of  the
                     carbon  column effluents is no longei
                     acceptable. From each curve,  the  time
                     and volume processed to reach an SCOC
                     breakthrough of 300, 400, and 500 mg/1
                     were calculated.
                        The carbon usage rate in kg/1,000 I
                     (lb/1,000  gal) can be  determined b]

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dividing the weight of  carbon in each
column by  the  volume  processed  to
breakthrough. Pilot study results showed
that  the carbon  use to  maintain an
effluent SCOD concentration  of  300
mg/L or less decreased from 3.1 to 2.1
kg/1,000 L (26 to 18 lb/1,000 gal) as the
EBCT was increased from 35 to 140 min,
respectively. For a  400 mg/L or less
SCOD  effluent, the  carbon  use ranged
from 2.6 to 1.7 kg/1,000 L (22 to 14
lb/1,000 gal), and for a 500-mg/Lor less
effluent SCOD, the. carbon  use ranged
from 1.9 to 1.2 kg/1,000 L (16 to 10 Ib/
1,000  gal)  as the EBCT was increased
from 35 to  140 min.
   Daily 24-hr composite samples were
also collected of the GAC influent and
final effluent  and  analyzed  for TSS,
TBOD,  TCOD, and SCOD.  Table 4 sum-
marizes the removal efficiencies for each
of these  parameters. Note  that  the
averages in Table 4 are for the entire run
and not for some specific effluent SCOD
concentration.


Identification of Specific
Organic  Compounds
   To  identify the specific organic  con-
stituents in the pharmaceutical  plant
effluent, a  series  of mass spectral and
infrared studies  was  carried out by
              several laboratories. A composite sample
              of biologically treated pharmaceutical
              plant  final effluent  was collected on
              March 14, 1984, and submitted to three
              independent laboratories for gas chro-
              matography/mass  spectrometry  (GC/
              MS) low-resolution  analysis. Approxi-
              mately 17 peaks  were observed by each
              of the laboratories.
                 An extract  of a composite sample
              made from the control pilot plant effluent
              collected from  October 17 to 21, 1984,
              resulted in a chromatogram with approxi-
              mately 9 of the  17 major peaks having
              mass spectra similar to those determined
              from the March 14 sample.
                 A major component in the gas chro-
              matogram  of  the  biologically treated
              effluent from the pilot plant control was
              tentatively identified as 2-butyl-4-amino-
              5-pyrimidyl-carbinol by a combination of
              high-resolution GC/MS, low-resolution
              GC/MS,  gas  chromatography/Fourier
              transform  infrared  spectrophotometry,
              and chemical information concerning the
              manufacturing processes at this plant.
              The concentration of this component was
              approximately 4  mg/L. Dimethylphenol
              was also identified as a minor component.

              Conclusions
                 Conclusions regarding the biological
              pilot study are as follows:
 Table 2.     Summary of Feed Wastewater Characteristics

 Parameter                 Average
                                   Range
 TBOD. mg/L
 TSS. mg/L
 TCOD. mg/L
 SCOD. mg/L
 pH, units
 Temperature, °C
 151 (33)*
 341 (8JJ
1410 (57)
 830 (551

  24 (57)
 61-360
 65-1560
730-3180
412-1330
7.7-8.6(80)
 14-40
*Parenthesis indicate number of observations.

Table 3.     Pretreatment Efficiency

Parameter             Influent
              Effluent
                                                         % Removal
TSS. mg/L
TBOD. mg/L
TCOD. mg/L
SCOD, mg/L
pH , units
Temperature, °C
301
158
1360
828
7.7-8.6(67)
14-37 (42)
121
81
877
657
6.4-8. 1 (67)
15-36 (42)
60 (70)*
49 (29)
35 (43)
21 (51)


^Parenthesis indicate number of observations.


 Table 4.     Average Removal Efficiencies for Activated Carbon

Parameter              Influent (mg/L)     Effluent (mg/L)
                                     i Removal
TSS
TBOD
TCOD
SCOD
87
121
914
651
75
>85
432
25 1
14 (38)*
<30(14)
53 (42)
61 (42)
                        1. PAC addition to the activated
                           sludge  process can  increase the
                           SCOD removal from pharmaceuti-
                           cal manufacturing wastewater.
                        2. The PAC/activated sludge process
                           cannot be recommended  as a
                           viable  process for  this plant's
                           wastewater until  the cause of the
                           VFMLS is identified and adequate
                           safeguards against its occurrence
                           are demonstrated.
                        The results of the physical-chemical
                      study are as follows:
                        1. GAC treatment can  reduce the
                           secondary effluent SCOD to 200 to
                           400 mg/L.
                        2. The chemical clarification and
                           multi-media filtration technologies
                           provide adequate  pretreatment for
                           operation of the downstream GAC.
                        3. The combination of biological treat-
                           ment and GAC can reduce the in-
                           fluent TCOD from 7,060 mg/L to
                           an average effluent SCOD of 200 to
                           400 mg/L.
                        4. Carbon use  is a  function of the
                           effluent SCOD concentration and
                           the EBCT. A summary of the carbon
                           use rates determined from the pilot
                           study is shown in Table 5.

                      Table 5.     Carbon Use. kg/1.000 L

                                  Design Effluent SCOD. mg/L
                                                        EBCT, min
                                    300
                      400
500
35
70
105
140
3.1
2.1
2.8
2.1
2.6
2.1
2.1
1.7
1.9
1.9
1.5
1.2
   The full report was submitted in fulfill-
ment of Contract Numbers 68-02-3928
to Rexnord  and  68-01-6675  to  E.G.
Jordan  Company with Rexnord and
Environmental Science and Engineering,
Inc.,  acting under a subcontract to E.G.
Jordan Company under the sponsorship
of the U.S.  Environmental  Protection
Agency.
 "Parenthesis indicate number of observations
                                                                               . S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1986/646-l 16/20789

-------
    Richard Osantowski and Richard Wullschleger are with Rexnord, Inc., Milwaukee,
      WI43214.
    Clyde R. Dempsey is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
    The complete report consists of two volumes entitled "Evaluation of Activated
      Carbon for Enhanced COD Removal from Pharmaceutical Wastewater:"
      "Volumel. Final Report," (Order No. PB86-148 160/AS; Cost $16.95, subject
        to change).
      "Volume II. Appendices,"(Order No. PB 86-148 178/AS; Cost $28.95, subject
        to change).
    The above reports will be available only from:
            National Technical Information Service
            5285 Port Royal Road
            Springfield, VA22161
            Telephone: 703-487-4650
    The EPA  Project Officer can be contacted at:
            Water Engineering Research Laboratory
            U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
            Cincinnati, OH 45268
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
u.s.ornc!AL MAL
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use S300

EPA/600/S2-86/004
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