Integrating sequencing batch reactor with bio-electrochemical treatment for augmenting remediation efficiency of complex petrochemical wastewater

• Integration strategy of SBR–BET for the remediation of petrochemical wastewater.
• GC–MS/FTIR confirmed the increment of biodegradability in PCW.
• SBR is an effective pre-treatment processes.
• Enhanced bioelectrochemical behavior was observed in BET system.

The present study evaluates the sequential integration of two advanced biological treatment methods viz., sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and bioelectrochemical treatment systems (BET) for the treatment of real-field petrochemical wastewater (PCW). Initially two SBR reactors were operated in aerobic (SBRAe) and anoxic (SBRAx) microenvironments with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 9.68 kg COD/m3-day. Relatively, SBRAx showed higher substrate degradation (3.34 kg COD/m3-day) compared to SBRAe (2.9 kg COD/m3-day). To further improve treatment efficiency, the effluents from SBR process were fed to BET reactors. BETAx depicted higher SDR (1.92 kg COD/m3-day) with simultaneous power generation (17.12 mW/m2) followed by BETAe (1.80 kg COD/m3-day; 14.25 mW/m2). Integrating both the processes documented significant improvement in COD removal efficiency due to the flexibility of combining multiple microenvironments sequentially. Results were supported with GC–MS and FTIR, which confirmed the increment in biodegradability of wastewater.

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