(444c) Arsenic Reduction from Contaminated Groundwater of an Industrial Site By Advanced Oxidation Process

The arsenic species presented in the contaminated groundwater from a glass manufacturing industrial site include arsenite (As III), arsenate (As V), and organic arsenic compounds. The primary objective of this project was to develop a treatment process capable to reducing total arsenic below the USEPA drinking water standard of 10 µg/l. The treatment efficiency of the process was investigated under various operating conditions. Fenton’s reagent was used as the oxidizing agent. To define the design parameters for the process, the bench-scale study addressed: the amount of iron required to achieve an arsenic concentration of <10 µg/l in the treated water, the hydrogen peroxide dosage during the oxidation process, the effect of pH, the required reaction time, and sludge production rate. The results reveal that each of the above operating parameters has a significant effect on the treatment efficiency.  Based on the laboratory data, a full scale system for 350 gpm was designed and installed. The treatment plant is in operation for several years and consistently meeting the arsenic discharge limitations. Data from the laboratory scale study and full scale operation will be presented and discussed.