Treatment of Bleach Plant Effluent with the Biological Granular Activated Carbon Process

Bleach plant effluent from the pulp and paper industry was treated by means of the anaerobic biological granular activated carbon process. It was found that over 50% of the COD and colour could be successfully removed from this effluent. The adsorptive capacity of the activated carbon was extended as a result of microbial activity inside the anaerobic reactor. The results of this investigation suggest that the anaerobic biological granular activated carbon process could be used to alleviate the pollution problems experienced by the pulp and paper industry.