Survey on Possibility of Biodegradation of Perchloroethylene (PCE) in High Concentration Using Anaerobic Migrating Blanket Reactor (AMBR)

PCE is a chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon which has been used in some industries. Industrial wastewaters polluted with PCE must be treated because of its possible carcinogenic effects. The aim of this study was to determine the PCE biodegradation potential in high concentration using Anaerobic Migrating Blanket Reactor (AMBR) that thus far has not been used for biodegradation of this compound. An Anaerobic Migrating Blanket Reactor (AMBR) was used in the type of lab scale with volume of 10 L which was divided into four compartments for biological degradation PCE in synthetic substrate. Startup was done using of anaerobic digested sewage sludge. After startup، performance of the reactor was evaluated in biodegradation of PCE in concentration of 100 mg/L. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 32 hours. Optimum COD removal efficiency was obtained 98% with OLR equal to 3. 1 g COD/L. d. Average COD removal for the whole activity period of reactor was 91. 4%. For PCE removal، efficiency was observed 99. 5%. According to information obtained from this study، it can be stated that with AMBR، providing full-scale studies and using real industrial wastewater polluted with PCE can be takenas simple، efficient and reliable method for treatment of PCE، even in high concentration.