Modeling of Microbially Active Soil Columns

by D. S. Kosson, Rutgers Univ, Dep of Chemical &, Biochemical Engineering, Piscataway, NJ, USA,
G. C. Agnihotri, Rutgers Univ, Dep of Chemical &, Biochemical Engineering, Piscataway, NJ, USA,
R. C. Ahlert, Rutgers Univ, Dep of Chemical &, Biochemical Engineering, Piscataway, NJ, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Computer Applications in Water Resources

Abstract:

A soil-based microbial treatment process for on-site treatement of hazardous industrial wastewaters has been developed. The indigenous microflora of the soil are supplemented by the addition of an inoculum of an acclimated mixed microbial population. Wastewater, balanced with appropriate nutrients, is allowed to percolate through the soil bed. Effluent is collected, in entirety, allowing mass balances to be performed. Daily, batchwise influent additions result in cyclic reaeration and flooding. An aerobic population develops near the surface, while anaerobic organisms dominate at greater depths. Laboratory and pilot-scale field experiments with this system have been conducted over a period of four years. An extensive data base has been developed. Applicability of dispersion models incorporating first-order, reversible adsorption and several forms of a biological reaction term has been examined.

Subject Headings: Soil treatment | Microbes | Water treatment | Wastewater management | Industrial wastes | Wastewater treatment | Percolation

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