Empirical model for the autotrophic biodegradation of thiocyanate in an activated sludge reactor

AIMS: The aim of this investigation was to develop an empirical model for the autotrophic biodegradation of thiocyanate using an activated sludge reactor. METHODS AND RESULTS: The methods used for this purpose included the use of a laboratory scale activated sludge reactor unit using thiocyante feed concentrations from 200 to 550 mg x l(-1). Reactor effluent concentrations of <1 mg x l(-1) thiocyanate were consistently achieved for the entire duration of the investigation at a hydraulic retention time of 8 h, solids (biomass) retention of 18 h and biomass (dry weight) concentrations ranging from 2 to 4 g x l(-1). A biomass specific degradation rate factor was used to relate thiocyanate degradation in the reactor to the prevailing biomass and thiocyanate feed concentrations. A maximum biomass specific degradation rate of 16 mg(-1) x g(-1) x h(-1) (mg thiocyanate consumed per gram biomass per hour) was achieved at a thiocyanate feed concentration of 550 mg x l(-1). The overall yield coefficient was found to be 0.086 (biomass dry weight produced per mass of thiocyanate consumed). CONCLUSION: Using the results generated by this investigation, an empirical model was developed, based on thiocyanate feed concentration and reactor biomass concentration, to calculate the required absolute hydraulic retention time at which a single-stage continuously stirred tank activated sludge reactor could be operated in order to achieve an effluent concentration of <1 mg x l(-1). The use of an empirical model rather than a mechanistic-based kinetic model was proposed due to the low prevailing thiocyanate concentrations in the reactor. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results represent the first empirical model, based on a comprehensive data set, that could be used for the design of thiocyanate-degrading activated sludge systems.