Decolorization of kraft bleach plant E1stage effluent in a fungal bioreactor

Decolorization of the effluent from the first alkali extraction stage of a krait pulp bleach plant was studied in a continuous bioreactor containing the white‐rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized on polyurethane foam particles. The bioreactor operating at a hydraulic retention time of 5.8 days was able to promote 70% decolorization and showed the following removal efficiencies: 64% total phenols, 50% COD and 7% organic chlorine. Decolorization was highly correlated to total phenols removal.