Oxygen uptake rate measurements for evaluation of ozonation of municipal wastewater

Ozonation has become more frequently used as oxidant to reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD) and toxic substances in wastewater originating from different industrial processes. An ozonation pilot plant followed by two parallel biological filters are used to investigate the possibility to reduce the high concentration of refractory COD in the effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, partly loaded with biologically treated wastewater from a large pharmaceutical industry. COD measurements are used to evaluate the overall reduction of organic matter, oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and volatile fatty acids measurements are used for evaluation of the biodegradability of the remaining COD after ozonation. The impact of the ozone dose on the overall COD degradation and degradability of the remaining COD has been estimated. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measurements confirm that parts of the COD are converted into biodegradable organic matter by ozonation. Biofilters following the ozonation plant secure that any degradable organic matter produced by ozonation is removed, which is confirmed from OUR-measurements.