In memory of Putilina N.T., the pioneer of the evolutionary theory of the microbial method of wastewater dephenolization

Abstract

In press

Phenol-containing wastewater is characterized by an extremely diverse mixture of organic substances, the oxidation of which should not involve a separate pure culture of mesophilic bacteria, but a complex of microorganisms, the joint activity of which ensures complete biological purification of wastewater. Biochemical (microbial) method by Putilinа N.T. meets the requirements for cleaning wastewater from phenol without prior dilution. The use of methods of directed variability of microorganisms in the work made it possible to grow highly active, stable, non-pathogenic pure cultures of mesophilic phenol-degrading microbes capable of destroying phenol in wastewater to concentrations that do not cause a chlorophenol smell after chlorination at an initial amount of phenol of 200–1000 mg/l. However, the wastewater treatment method can be not only microbial, but also activated sludge. Both methods are biological, but the methods of applying biology are correspondingly different and significantly opposite. In the process of discussing the microbial method, on the way of its formation, there was enough criticism, which depended on the poor performance of aerotanks, however, as emphasized by Putilina N.T., "bad exploitation generally cannot undermine the method".

Keywords: phenol, coke chemical effluents, mesophilic microbes, microbial treatment, aeration tanks, biology.