TREATMENT OF A WASTEWATER FROM A CHEMICALLY
SYNTHESIZED PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS
WITH THE ANAEROBIC FILTER
T. A. Seeler, Environmental Engineer
Calocerinos and Spina
Liverpool, New York 13088
J. C. Jennett, Professor
Civil Engineering Department
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York 13210
INTRODUCTION
Anaerobic unit processes for the treatment of wastewaters have gained considerable
recognition in recent years.   The anaerobic processes, in some cases, have been shown
to be cost effective treatment alternatives to aerobic treatment processes, particularly
where highly concentrated organic wastes are concerned.   The anaerobic processes are
independent of oxygen transfer requirements and limitations, and hence, higher organic
loadings are possible.   In addition, benefits are gained from the production of a useable
gas, methane, as a byproduct of a well operating anaerobic system.
The subject of this study, the anaerobic filter, is one such process.   In addition, this
upflow, fixed medium, contact process was developed to treat wastewaters with a minimal amount of biomass production, thereby requiring less wasting of excess biomass
and no solid-liquid separation step following the unit.
It was the intent of this study to apply a pharamaceutical waste from a chemical
synthesis manufacturing process to the anaerobic filter and evaluate:   (a) the suitability
of the filter to waste treatment under organic loadings typical of those which would
occur during daily manufacturing operations; and (b) the maximum organic loading
capacity of the filter while treating this waste.
PREVIOUS STUDIES
The initial laboratory scale studies of the anaerobic filter were done by Young and
McCarty [1,2].   The utility of the filter was illustrated very clearly; in treating three
artificial wastes, a protein-carbohydrate mixture, acetate and propionate, treatment efficiency was high.   Reductions of COD were measured as high as 93.4% for the protein-
carbohydrate waste with a three day hydraulic retention time and 3000 mg/l influent
COD concentration, and as high as 98.4% for a volatile acid waste of 12,000 mg/l
COD with a 15 day detention time [2].   It was noted that there was no need for
solids wasting throughout the study, and the system required no sludge recycle.   This
initial study was conducted with an artificial substrate, and its real engineering applicability had yet to be proven.
Others have applied the anaerobic filter, with varying success, to a variety of industrial wastes.   Plummer, Malina and Eckenfelder [3]  used a 16 in. (40.64 cm) high
column to treat a food processing waste with an influent COD of 8500 mg/l and
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