The effectiveness of a sequenced biological-physicochemical reactor system for treating sewage was studied. The biological degradation was conducted in a Sequential Batch Reactor, which had innovative features for simplifying the operation and maintenance of the reactor. The reactor was operated at 4, 6, 8, and 12 hr cycle. Up to 82% removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), 50% removal of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), 45% removal of Total Nitrogen (TN), and 45% removal of Total Phosphorus (TP) was achieved. The treated effluent was further polished in a Continuous-flow Bipolar-mode Electrochemical Reactor to remove additional recalcitrant organic matter from the wastewater. The process parameters were optimized using Response Surface Methodology. At the optimum condition (pH = 8.7; Current = 1.0; reaction time =9.0), up to 90% removal of COD, 67% removal of DOC, 61% removal of TN, and 99.9% removal of TP was achieved in the coupled system. Micropollutants belonging to Pharmaceutically Active Compounds, pesticides, etc. were significantly removed. The coupled system completely removed Salmonella, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. However, coliforms were detected at the outlet samples. A UV or ozone disinfection treatment is recommended for the safe reuse of the treated water for non-potable purposes.
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