Removal of dioxins, PCB's and other halogenated organic compounds from wastewater

Claim 1

The combination of physicochemical and biological treatment processes for removing dioxins, PCB's, and other halogenated organic compounds from raw wastewater, in a pretreatment zone to produce pretreated wastewater still containing minor proportions, of dioxins and PCB's and then in a reaction zone wherein final effluent is produced which comprises the physiocochemical process consisting of subjecting the raw wastewater to simultaneous neutralization and oxidation, followed by separating precipitated products, which precipitated products have adsorbed a major proportion of at least 90% of the dioxins and PCB's present in the raw wastewater in the same pretreatment zone, and then followed by biological treatment process consisting of subjecting the pre-treated wastewater, which contains the minor proportion of dioxins and PCB's, and other halogenated organic compounds in raw wastewater, to a combined powdered active carbon adsorption and biological treatment process in a sequencing batch reactor in the presence of acclimated activated sludge which comprises the steps FILL, REACT, SETTLE, DRAW, and IDLE, said combined treatment process operating at a mixed liquor suspended solids concentration in excess of 5000 mg/L, and wherein the amount of powdered active carbon is added during the FILL and/or REACT steps and is sufficient to produce a final effluent free of dioxins and PCB's, containing less than 0.8 ppt and less than 2.0 ppb, respectively, and substantially free of other halogenated organic compounds, and disposing of waste sludge in a secure landfill.