METHOD FOR REDUCING THE LEVEL OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

Abstract: A method for reducing the level of hydrogen sulfide in flowing wastewater streams by addition of aqueous solutions of metal nitrates and suspensions of polycyclic quinones or precursors thereof.

Description: TITLE METHOD FOR REDUCING THE LEVEL OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN WASTEWATER SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An altogether too familiar sensation in many communities having wastewater treating systems is the rotten egg smell of the gas hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is metabolic product of sulfate-reducing bacteria which are ordinarily contained in anaerobic wastewater streams. This gas not only has a highly offensive odor, but is toxic even in quite small concentrations. Though H 2 S is present in the air above wastewater in only small concentrations, it has been very difficult to reduce it significantly in even the most efficiently operated municipal and industrial wastewater treatment systems. There are two basic approaches to reducing H 2 S in wastewater systems. One approach to the problem of reducing H 2 S odor is to inhibit the production of H 2 S by various means within the wastewater stream. The other approach is to remove the H 2 S produced in such streams. As to the first method, it is known to add nitrates or nitrites to sewage to reduce biological oxygen demand (BOD) and to suppress the formation of H 2 S by bacterial action. (U.S. patents 3,300,404; 4,446,031 and 4,681,687). It is also known to add nitrates to sewage to control objectionable odors (U.S. 4,680,127). As to the second method, in U.S. 4,680,127 is disclosed a method for removing H 2 S by addition of glyoxal and formaldehyde to scavenge H 2 S from aqueous gas streams. Also, U.S. 4,911,843 to Hunniford et al., discloses a method for removing dissolved H 2 S form sewage by the addition of aqueous solutions of inorganic nitrates to stimulate the growth of bacteria which consume H 2 S metabolically. A different technique is taught by Tatnall in U.S. 5,500,368. This patent discloses the addition of very small amounts of finely divided particles of anthraquinones to a medium containing sulfate-reducing bacteria to inhibit production of H 2 S therein. U.S. 5,385,844 to Weimer et al., discloses inhibiting H 2 S production by sulfate-reducing bacteria by contacting the medium containing the sulfate-reducing bacteria with a wide variety of anthraquinone compounds. While all of the foregoing methods for inhibiting the formation of H 2 S and for removing H 2 S are effective to some extent, none is wholly satisfactory because the efficiency of each is low and the relative cost of utilizing them is quite high. For that reason, applicants have sought an efficient and more cost-effective method for keeping the odor level of wastewater streams down to a safe level by a method which involves both keeping the production of H 2 S production low and removing whatever low amount of H 2 S is produced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, in its primary aspect, the invention is directed to a synergistic method for reducing the amount of hydrogen sulfide contained in a wastewater stream containing both sulfate-reducing bacteria and H 2 S-metabolizing bacteria comprising adding to the wastewater stream metal nitrate to provide a source of nitrogen for the H 2 S-metabolizing bacteria and finely divided particles of polycyclic anthraquinone or precursor thereof to inhibit the production of H S by the sulfate- reducing bacteria. DEFINITION As used herein, with respect to the accessibility of sulfate-reducing bacteria and hydrogen sulfide-metabolizing bacteria to the flowing wastewater stream, the term "containing" includes both bacteria within the flowing stream as well as bacteria within any biofilm formed on the inner surface of the conduit through which the wastewater is flowing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. In General It is recognized, in a very general sense, that each of the added reactants to wastewater systems treated in accordance with the invention perform a function for which they are previously known. However, applicants have discovered that when they are used together, whether simultaneously or sequentially, they function in a highly synergistic manner. That is, both the degree of bacterial inhibition by the polycyclic quinones and the extent of H 2 S consumption resulting from nitrate addition are improved far beyond that level which can be obtained by either technique by itself. Furthermore, an important advantage of the method of the invention is that no separation step is required in handling the treated wastewater. Both the inhibition of H 2 S formation and the metabolism of the H 2 S are accomplished without the necessity of separating either the reactants or the by-products of the reaction products from the wastewater system. B. Polycyclic Quinones Unlike biocides, which are aimed at killing sulfate-reducing bacteria, the polycyclic quinones used in this invention only inhibit their activity. Studies have shown that the polycyclic quinones block the production of adenosine triphosphate by the bacteria, thereby removing the bacteria's ability to respire via sulfate reduction. Without sulfate reduction, H 2 S cannot be produced by the bacteria. Nevertheless, the polycyclic quinones have no adverse affect on the H 2 S-metabolizing bacteria. 1. Composition: A wide variety of polycyclic quinones can be used in the invention. As used herein, the term "polycyclic quinone" refers to bicyclic, tricyclic and tetracyclic condensed ring quinones and hydroquinones, as well as precursors thereof. On the whole, the non-ionic polycyclic quinones and polycyclic hydroquinones ( herein referred to collectively as PCQs) have very low solubility in water at ambient temperatures. For use in the invention, it is preferred that such PCQs have a water solubility no higher than about 1,000 ppm, by weight. However, as noted above, certain precursors of such PCQs can also be used in the invention either combined with the relatively insoluble PCQs or by themselves. Such precursors are anionic salts of PCQs which are water soluble under alkaline anaerobic conditions. However, these materials are not stable and are easily converted to the insoluble quinone form upon exposure to air. Thus, when anionic PCQs are applied to plants and exposed to air, they are quickly changed to the water-insoluble, more active quinone form. Among the water-insoluble PCQs which can be used in the invention are anthraquinone, naphthoquinone, anthrone(9,10-dihydro-9-oxo-anthracene), 10- methylene-anthrone, phenanthrenequinone and the alkyl, alkoxy and amino derivatives of such quinones, 6,ll-dioxo-lH-anthra[l,2-c]pyrazole, anthraquinone- 1 ,2-naphthacridone, 7, 12-dioxo-7, 12-dihydroanthra[ 1 ,2-b]pyrazine, 1,2- benzanthraquinone, 2,7-dimethylanthraquinone, 2-methylanthraquinone, 3- methylanthraquinone, 2-aminoanthraquinone and 1-methoxyanthraquinone. Of the foregoing cyclic ketones, anthraquinone and methylanthraquinone are preferred because they appear to be more effective. Naturally occurring anthraquinones can be used as well as synthetic anthraquinones. Other PCQs which can be used include insoluble anthraquinone compounds such as 1,8-dihydroxy-anthraquinone, 1-amino-anthraquinone, 1-chloro-anthraquinone, 2- chloro-anthraquinone, 2-chloro-3-carboxyl-anthraquinone, 1-hydroxy- anthraquinone and unsubstituted anthraquinone. Various ionic derivatives of these materials can be prepared by catalytic reduction in aqueous alkali. In addition, a wide variety of anthrahydroquinone compounds can be used in the method of the invention. As used herein, the term "anthrahydroquinone compound" refers to compounds comprising the basic tricyclic structure such as 9,10-dihydroanthrahydroquinone, 1,4-dihydroanthrahydroquinone, and l,4,4a,9a- tetrahydroanthrahydroquinone. Anthrahydroquinone itself is 9,10- dihydroxyanthracene. More particularly, both water-insoluble and water-soluble forms can be used. The non-ionic compounds are largely insoluble in aqueous systems, while ionic derivatives, such as di-alkali metal salts, are largely soluble in water. The water soluble forms are stable only in high pH anaerobic fluids. Low pH fluids (pH less than about 9-10) will result in the formation of the insoluble molecular anthrahydroquinone. Aerobic solutions will incur oxidation of the anthrahydroquinones to anthraquinone. Thus, anthrahydroquinones will not exist for long periods of time in an aerated environment. For these reasons, anthrahydroquinone treatments are usually implemented with the soluble ionic form in a caustic solution. Sodium hydroxide solutions are preferred over the hydroxides of other alkali metals for economic reasons. 2. Configuration: Because most of the sulfate-reducing bacteria contained in wastewater systems are found in biofilms formed on the periphery of the wastewater conduits, it is necessary that the polycyclic quinones be able to penetrate into the biofilms at low dosages without undergoing reaction. The extraordinary effectiveness of various forms of anthraquinone lies in their non- reactivity. These products are transported into the biofilm, diffuse through the biofilm voids, and then diffuse or are randomly transported by Brownian motion into the bacterial microcolonies without reduction in concentration as a consequence of a reaction with biofilm constituents. These anthraquinone materials are unaffected by other bacteria or the exopolysaccharide matrix present in the biofilm. Even though solid particles of polycyclic quinone (PCQ) are required to inhibit the sulfate-reducing bacteria activity, the PCQ can be introduced into the microbial environment in several physical forms. The PCQ can be introduced as a dispersion of these solid particles while an ionic (sodium salt) form of the PCQ will allow it to be solubilized in an anaerobic caustic solution with pH greater than 12 and preferably greater than 13. The salt stays soluble if the pH of the solution remains above about 12, with precipitation of solid PCQ taking place as the pH is reduced below this value. In the soluble form or with a slight amount of precipitated PCQ (typically in colloidal form), anthraquinone is in molecular form or consists as extremely small (submicron-sized) particles. The PCQ molecules or colloidal particles will then be able to move freely in the biofilm, contacting sulfate-reducing bacteria cells easily. Contact of PCQ with the sulfate-reducing bacteria and partitioning of the PCQ into the cell membrane blocks the organism's adinosine triphosphate production. In addition, decreases in pH in the biofilm (due to acid production from other bacteria in the biofilm or due to a sweeping of lower pH fluid through the pipe) will precipitate more small PCQ particles from the solution within the biofilm. This will expose the sulfate-reducing bacteria within the biofilm to additional PCQ particles, furthering the efficacy of the anthraquinone treatment. When the PCQ added to the wastewater is in the form of a suspension of finely divided particles, it is preferred that their largest dimension be no greater than 50 micrometers, and preferably no greater than 5 - 10 micrometers so that they can more easily pass through biofilm. Notwithstanding the fact that the active species seems to be the insoluble form of anthraquinone, it is nevertheless preferred to use the ionic (water-soluble) anthraquinone form because it diffuses into the biofilm and thus contacts the sulfate-reducing bacteria more readily. The activity of the ionic form of the anthraquinone seems to be derived from its conversion from the ionic form to the non-ionic form by which it is precipitated as very fine particles which attach to the sulfate-reducing bacteria. Whether the soluble or insoluble anthraquinone is used, it has been observed that the functional attachment of the anthraquinone particles to the bacteria is limited in time by metabolism of the particles by the sulfate-reducing bacteria. Thus, application of the treating medium must be repeated periodically in order to maintain inhibition effectiveness. C. Methods of Operation The customary method for carrying out nitrate addition in waste water systems is continuous addition to the flowing waste water stream. On the other hand, the addition of PCQ or precursors thereof in accordance with the invention can be carried out in a variety of ways. For example, nitrate addition can be stopped, the PCQ then added to the waste water stream all at one time in an amount sufficient to be effective for an extended time, after which nitrate addition is resumed as soon as PCQ addition is completed. A further method is to add the PCQ continuously to the waste water either by admixing it with the nitrate solution or by adding the PCQ directly to the waste water stream simultaneously with the nitrate. For ease in metering, the metal nitrate is usually added in aqueous solution. The PCQ is added as an aqueous suspension of finely divided PCQ particles. When PCQ precursors are used, they are added in the form of an aqueous solution of alkali metal salts. EXAMPLES Example 1 A series of tests was carried out in an urban wastewater system among three vacuum collection systems (Stations A, B and C) connected by 6 inch diameter pipe. The distance between Stations A and B was 5,218 feet and the distance between Stations B and C was 2,453 feet. Normal wastewater flow between Stations A and B is 138 - 180 thousand gallons per day and normal flow between Stations B and C is 367 - 430 thousand gallons per day. This segment of the wastewater system is normally treated with 80 gallons per day of nitrate to remove hydrogen sulfide, by which the level H 2 S is reduced to lmg/1. For purposes of this test, the above-described parts of the wastewater system were operated for seven days without the addition of either nitrate or AQ. At the end of the seven days, the ORP of the system was -153 and H 2 S level of 5.6 ppm. Upon completion of the above-described seven-day test in which no action was made to remove H 2 S, an aqueous dispersion containing 50% wt. anthraquinone was added to the system periodically at the rate of 6.5 gallons per day for a period of six days. At the end of the six day period, the ORP of the system was -151 and the H S level was reduced to 4.0ppm. Following the above six day test using only anthraquinone for treatment, the addition of anthraquinone was stopped and continuous nitrate addition to the system was resumed at a level only ten percent of the previous rate of addition. That is, only 8 gallons of nitrate solution was added daily instead of the previous level of 80 gallons daily. Interestingly, During the 11 days following resumption of nitrate addition during which anthraquinone addition was discontinued altogether, the ORP of the wastewater dropped to zero and the H 2 S level in the system dropped to 0.8 ppm. Addition of AQ is now made once per month and H 2 S is still at the 0.8 - 1.0 ppm level which is considered acceptable. The cost savings to the municipality more than paid for the use of AQ. A continued use ofonly 8 gallons of nitrate per day indicates continued synergy between the reactants. Example 2 A test was conducted in a lift station of a community waste water system discharging about 75,000 gallons/day (284,000 L/day) of waste water into an eight inch force main discharging 2,550 feet downstream into a gravity collection line. Without the addition of materials to control the hydrogen sulfide level, the level of hydrogen sulfide in the waste water stream was 30 mg/L. By addition of 18 gallons/day (68 L/day) of potassium nitrate solution alone, the hydrogen sulfide in the discharge was maintained at 0.95 mg/L. While continuing the addition of nitrate solution, the flowing stream was dosed with forty pounds of alkaline (pH 11) anthraquinone over the course of a few minutes and the addition of sodium nitrate was reduced to 5.5 gallons/day (21 L/day). At the end of two weeks, the sulfide level was only 0.82 mg/L. Two weeks after the initial addition of AHQ, forty pounds of nitrate solution were again added to the flowing stream and the daily addition of nitrate was continued. The hydrogen sulfide level from the gravity collection line during the subsequent two week period remained at about the same level. These data show clearly the synergistic action of periodic PCQ addition in combination with continuous nitrate addition.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. In the treatment of a flowing wastewater stream containing both sulfate-reducing bacteria and H 2 S-metabolizing bacteria to reduce the concentration of H 2 S dissolved therein by the addition of metal nitrate to provide a source of nitrogen for bacteria in the waste which metabolize dissolved H 2 S, thus to enable the H 2 S-metabolizing bacteria to remove H 2 S from the wastewater stream, the improvement comprising adding to the wastewater a polycyclic quinone or precursor thereof in sufficient amount to inhibit the production of H 2 S from sulfate-reducing bacteria into the wastewater stream. 2. The process of claim 1 in which (1) the addition of nitrate to the wastewater flow is stopped, (2) during the stoppage, an aqueous suspension of finely divided particles of polycyclic quinone or precursor thereof is added to the wastewater flow, (3) upon completion of the polycyclic quinone or precursor addition, the addition of nitrate to the wastewater is resumed and (4) the above- described sequence of steps (1) through (3) is repeated. 3. The process of claim 1 in which the polycyclic quinone or precursor thereof is added continuously to the wastewater stream in admixture with the metal nitrate solution. 4. The process of claim 1 in which the polycyclic quinone or precursor thereof is added continuously to the waste water stream simultaneously with the metal nitrate solution. 5. The process of claim 1 in which the addition of nitrate is continuous and the addition of polycyclic quinone or precursor thereof is periodic. 6. The process of claim 1 in which both the addition of nitrate and the addition of polycyclic quinone or precursor thereof are continuous. 7. The process of claim 1 in which an aqueous suspension of finely divided particles of polycyclic quinone or precursor thereof is added to the nitrate- containing wastewater flow. 8. The process of claim 3 in which the aqueous suspension is added to the wastewater flow on a continuous basis. 9. The process of claim 4 in which the aqueous suspension is added to the wastewater flow upstream of the nitrate addition. 10. The process of claim 4 in which the suspension is added to the wastewater flow downstream of the nitrate addition. 11. The process of claim 1 in which addition of the suspension to the wastewater flow is started when the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the wastewater flow is between -240mv and -50mv and is continued until the ORP exceeds -50mv.

Inventors: BALLINGER KENNETH E JR, HELLER JOHNATHAN D, HELLER KENNETH J, BALLINGER, KENNETH, E., JR., HELLER, JOHNATHAN, D., HELLER, KENNETH, J.
Applicants: DCV INC, DCV, INC.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C02F3
IPC codes: C02F3