Wastewater from a hardboard mill characterized by a high organic content (15-30 g/L COD) was studied in a bench scale sequential aerated system in order to define a start up strategy. Inlet COD concentration varied from 0.5 to 25 g/L and the hydraulic retention time was maintained at 5 days. The sequential system proposed could reduce BOD, COD, TSS and phenol over 90% except when the inlet COD concentration was lower than 25 g/L.
Fiber board wastewater; hardboard; sequential aerobic treatment; start up strategy
