This project “Achieving Low COD in Industrial Treated Effluent Through Combination of AOPs and Biological Processes” aims to develop cost-effective AOP-biological systems for treating industrial wastewater with the aims of: 1. Meeting stringent COD discharge standard of 50 mg/L 2. Producing good quality treated effluent with a COD of 80 mg/L and explore its treatment strategy for industrial water reuse. This project consists of NUS researchers and Sembcorp engineers working seamlessly. Novel AOP processes such as catalytic ozonation and FBR Fenton processes were developed and applied for industrial and domestic reverse osmosis concentrates, petrochemical wastewater, pharmaceutical wastewater, phenolic wastewater and so on treatment. Lab- and pilot scale experiment were carried out to evaluate the long-term performance and LCA analysis was used to assess the environmental impact. The stringent targets for discharge or reuse have been met by the novel treatment technologies developed. The developed industrial wastewater treatment technologies are cost-effective and improves the quality of the treated effluent and the reclaimed water. It is crucial for water shortage countries like Singapore and also important for the protection of soil, water and marine environment in the long term, these are essential for sustainable growth and will enhance the international image of Singapore. One patent on bimetallic catalyst was field and one novel technology on microbubble catalytic ozonation was taken up by Sembcorp. One keynote speech was given by PI in IWA Water in Industry conference in 2021 and another 11 conference presentations were delivered.
