Development of Bio-based Coagulant for the Removal of Fatty Matter from Soapy Wastewater with Electrocoagulation Process

Abstract

Soapy wastewater is one of the most difficult environmental issues because it contains high dissolved solids, high suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, and toxic chemicals. The direct discharge of this wastewater without proper treatment into the water bodies (i.e. lakes, rivers, etc.) pollutes the water system directly or indirectly. This indicates the need to develop efficient treatment methods which are environmentally viable. To solve this problem, coagulation/flocculation with the help of electrocoagulation is one of the most effective and simple techniques to remove fatty matter and colloidal and suspended solids from soapy wastewater. The soapy wastewater technically needs adding either synthetic or natural coagulant. However, the use of chemical coagulants has been criticized to have limitations due to environmental impacts. Recently, there is an interest to replace chemical coagulants with natural materials. The overall objective of this study is framed to develop a bio-based coagulant, buildup an electrocoagulation setup, and investigate its removal efficiency of fatty matter from soapy wastewater. The removal efficiency of the coagulant was tested for its removal of fatty matter, COD, TSS, turbidity, and TDS before and after the treatment, and FTIR was used to characterize the specific functional groups. The treatment process was carried out using a jar test at different settling time(1-16hr), coagulant dose(1-5g/l) and initial soap concentration(0.6-1.2) in the bio-based coagulation and at different voltage(10-30v), reaction time(30-120min), enter-electrode distance(2-4cm) and settling time(30- 180min) in the electrocoagulation with constant of other parameters. The soap wastewater was characterized before and after treatments. The raw wastewater had a TDS of 1450 mg/l. The TFMR, COD, and turbidity values of the effluent were on average 74.26%, 1500 mg/l, and 165NTU respectively before treatment. The experimental design and data analysis were done using design expert 13 software. The following experimental result was obtained. From the analysis, it was found that the optimal removal efficiency of TFM 93.63, COD 85.03%, TDS 72.43 %, and turbidity 97.503 % recorded at coagulant dose 4.221g/l, initial soap concentration 1.104g/l, voltage 24.07v, reaction time 111.7 min, inter-electrodes distance 2.33 cm and settling time 145.9 min. It was observed that the process of electrocoagulation gives better performance to the synthesized bio-based coagulant in the reduction of TFM. From the study result of characterization of the soap wastewater, it can be concluded that soap waste water pollutants can be efficiently removed using the synthesized bio-based coagulant with the help of electro coagulation.Soapy Wastewater Is One Of The Most Difficult Environmental Issues Because It Contains High Dissolved Solids, High Suspended Solids, Chemical Oxygen Demand (Cod), Turbidity, And Toxic Chemicals. The Direct Discharge Of This Wastewater Without Proper Treatment Into The Water Bodies (I.E. Lakes, Rivers, Etc.) Pollutes The Water System Directly Or Indirectly. This Indicates The Need To Develop Efficient Treatment Methods Which Are Environmentally Viable. To Solve This Problem, Coagulation/Flocculation With The Help Of Electrocoagulation Is One Of The Most Effective And Simple Techniques To Remove Fatty Matter And Colloidal And Suspended Solids From Soapy Wastewater. The Soapy Wastewater Technically Needs Adding Either Synthetic Or Natural Coagulant. However, The Use Of Chemical Coagulants Has Been Criticized To Have Limitations Due To Environmental Impacts. Recently, There Is An Interest To Replace Chemical Coagulants With Natural Materials. The Overall Objective Of This Study Is Framed To Develop A Bio-Based Coagulant, Buildup An Electrocoagulation Setup, And Investigate Its Removal Efficiency Of Fatty Matter From Soapy Wastewater. The Removal Efficiency Of The Coagulant Was Tested For Its Removal Of Fatty Matter, Cod, Tss, Turbidity, And Tds Before And After The Treatment, And Ftir Was Used To Characterize The Specific Functional Groups. The Treatment Process Was Carried Out Using A Jar Test At Different Settling Time(1-16hr), Coagulant Dose(1-5g/L) And Initial Soap Concentration(0.6-1.2) In The Bio-Based Coagulation And At Different Voltage(10-30v), Reaction Time(30-120min), Enter-Electrode Distance(2-4cm) And Settling Time(30-180min) In The Electrocoagulation With Constant Of Other Parameters. The Soap Wastewater Was Characterized Before And After Treatments. The Raw Wastewater Had A Tds Of 1450 Mg/L. The Tfmr, Cod, And Turbidity Values Of The Effluent Were On Average 74.26%, 1500 Mg/L, And 165ntu Respectively Before Treatment. The Experimental Design And Data Analysis Were Done Using Design Expert 13 Software. The Following Experimental Result Was Obtained. From The Analysis, It Was Found That The Optimal Removal Efficiency Of Tfm 93.63, Cod 85.03%, Tds 72.43 %, And Turbidity 97.503 % Recorded At Coagulant Dose 4.221g/L, Initial Soap Concentration 1.104g/L, Voltage 24.07v, Reaction Time 111.7 Min, Inter-Electrodes Distance 2.33 Cm And Settling Time 145.9 Min. It Was Observed That The Process Of Electrocoagulation Gives Better Performance To The Synthesized Bio-Based Coagulant In The Reduction Of Tfm. From The Study Result Of Characterization Of The Soap Wastewater, It Can Be Concluded That Soap Waste Water Pollutants Can Be Efficiently Removed Using The Synthesized Bio-Based Coagulant With The Help Of Electro Coagulation.