Abstract: A process is provided for the treatment of water containing sulphide wherein the sulphide is oxidized in an aerobic reactor having a minimum sulphide sludge load. The minimum sulphide load is at least 10 mg of sulphide per mg of the nitrogen present in the sludge per hour, the sludge load being calculated on the basis of the sulphide oxidizing part of the biomass. The minimum sulphide load may also be defined as 25 mg of sulphide per liter of reactor material per hour. The sulphide can be largely oxidized to elemental sulphur which is then separated and reused. Waste water also containing organic matter in addition to varying levels of sulphide is purified without interference of filamentous bacteria using a two-step aerobic process. The process for sulphide removal can be used for the treatment of waste water having high levels of sulphur compounds such as sulphate, sulphite and thiosulphate by first reducing these sulphur compounds in an aerobic step.

Abstract: A process is provided for the treatment of water containing sulphide wherein the sulphide is oxidized in an aerobic reactor having a minimum sulphide sludge load. The minimum sulphide load is at least 10 mg of sulphide per mg of the nitrogen present in the sludge per hour, the sludge load being calculated on the basis of the sulphide oxidizing part of the biomass. The minimum sulphide load may also be defined as 25 mg of sulphide per liter of reactor material per hour. The sulphide can be largely oxidized to elemental sulphur which is then separated and reused. Waste water also containing organic matter in addition to varying levels of sulphide is purified without interference of filamentous bacteria using a two step aerobic process. The process for sulphide removal can be used for the treatment of waste water having high levels of sulphur compounds such as sulphate, sulphite and thiosulphate by first reducing these sulphur compounds in an aerobic step.