Evaluation of PEG Biodegradability Using MBR and MBBR

Dewberry performed a three week bench scale study and subsequent one month pilot study to determine the treatability of an industrially-generated, polyethylene glycol (PEG) waste at an industrial wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The bench-scale study used four batch-fed reactors. Two reactors were seeded with media from the MBBR reactors onsite, and two were operated as suspended growth reactors. The pilot study utilized a 100 gpd MBR pilot skid consisting of a suspended growth reactor tank followed by a membrane tank and permeate tank, operated on a continuous basis.The objectives of the pilot study were to evaluate the impact of the PEG waste on the membrane performance and effluent quality. The bench study showed impacts on fixed film attachment in the MBBRs, so the pilot study considered discharge directly to the future MBR. The results indicate that PEG waste is removed using suspended growth MBR technology.