Biological treatment of mining wastewaters by fixed-bed bioreactors at high organic loading.

Acid wastewaters contaminated with Fe - 1000 mg L(-1) and Cu - 100 mg L(-1) were remediated by microbial sulfate-reduction at high organic loading (theoretical TOC/SO4(2-) ratio 1.1) in a laboratory installation. The installation design includes a fixed-bed anaerobic bioreactor for sulfate-reduction, a chemical reactor, a settler and a three-sectional bioreactor for residual organic compounds and hydrogen sulfide removal.

Diffusion models for adsorption kinetics of Zn(2+ ), Cd(2+ ) and Pb(2+ ) onto natural zeolite.

The kinetics of zinc, cadmium, and lead ions removal by natural zeolite-clinoptilolite has been investigated using an agitated batch adsorber. Batch experiments at constant temperature have been performed. The influence of agitation speed, initial heavy metals concentration and particle size of the sorbent on the removal efficiency of heavy metals from liquid phase have been studied.

Dynamic studies of nitrophenols adsorption on perfil in a fixed-bed column: application of single and two resistance model.

The mechanism of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) adsorption on perfil-natural mineral taken from Bulgarian deposits, in a fixed-bed column was investigated. The single component experiments were conducted at constant initial sorbate concentration, volumetric flow rate, temperature and pH. The effect of adsorbent bed depth (Z 1, 2, 3, 6 cm) and sorbate nature on the adsorption capacity, mass transfer parameters and mechanisms was studied.

Influence of recirculation in a lab-scale vertical flow constructed wetland on the treatment efficiency of landfill leachate.

Landfill leachate taken from a landfill situated in the north-western region of Bulgaria has been treated in a laboratory scale vertical flow constructed wetland (VF-CW) at different flow rates (40, 60 and 82 ml min(-1)) and recirculation ratios (time of water running through wetland to time of quiet water - 1:1; 1:2; 1:3). Young Phragmites australis was planted on the top layer of the reactor. The low flow rate (40 ml min(-1)) and recirculation ratio of 1:3 allowed removal efficiencies of 96% for COD (in 8 days), 92% for BOD(5) (in 3 days), 100% for ammonia (in 5 days) and 100% for total phosphorus (in 2 days).

Adsorption of sulfur dioxide on natural clinoptilolite chemically modified with salt solutions.

Various ion exchange forms of preliminary partly decationised zeolite (hydrogen forms) were obtained by indirect modification with metal salt solutions, as well as by direct treatment of natural clinoptilolite taken from Bulgarian deposits. Direct modification leads to a higher extent of samples enrichment with corresponding ion. Independently of the conditions, the alkaline and alkaline earth metal ions (especially sodium and calcium) were inserted at a greater extent, while the transitional metals-at a comparatively lower extent.

Adsorption of p-chlorophenol from aqueous solutions on bentonite and perlite.

The adsorption of p-chlorophenol (p-CP) from aqueous solutions on bentonite and perlite was studied. These materials are available in large quantities in Bulgaria. Model solutions of various concentrations (1-50 mgdm(-3)) were shaken with certain amounts of adsorbent to determine the adsorption capacity of p-CP on bentonite and perlite as well.