Activated sludge treatment of diluted kraft black liquors (COD
Mn 2, 0002, 500ppm) prepared in laboratory from red pine (Pinus densiflora) and white birch (Betula platyphylla) was examined through a half liter batch process. The behavior of organic components in the black liquors were examined by fractionations and lignin isolation from both the treated and untreated black liquors. Results were as follows :
(1) The removal of BOD
5 was 9597%, while that of COD
Mn was 2630%. Absorbances at 280 nm and 400 nm increased slightly in avarage. The pH value after the activated sluge treatment increased from 7 to about 8.5.
(2) The fractionation experiments indicated the removal of hydroxy acids which are the main contributors to BOD
5 and other low molecular components which are difficult to be oxidized by KMnO
4.
(3) The isolated kraft lignin from treated black liquor showed an increase of molecular weight and a large increase of absorbance in both ultra violet and visible light regions through the activated sludge treatment. The absorbance increase of the whole treated black liquor, however, was not reflected by the large absorbance increase of isolated lignin, which indicates the existence of both color removing and color forming ability of activated sludge organisms.
(4) Alum treatment of diluted black liquor is recommended to be performed prior to activated sluge treatment because of high alum dosage requirement and the color increase of lignin fraction.
View full abstract