Characterization of Sugar Industry Effluent and Reduction of BOD and COD Contributing Pollutants by using Sugarcane Bagasse Fly Ash (SBFA),

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize sugar industry effluent and reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of wastewater from industrial sugar effluent by using sugarcane bagasse fly ash (SBFA) (sugar industry solid waste). Sugar industry is one of the most polluting industries producing huge amount of wastewater effluents. These industries have been recognized to cause pollution by discharging effluent into receiving environment especially to the nearby rivers. . Industrial wastewaters result from spills, leaks, and product washing and water resulting from cooling processes. pH and conductivity of effluent were measured on site while other were determined in laboratory. The complete study was done in batch mode to investigate the effect of operating parameters. Proximate analysis of SBFA shows ash content percentage is high. Characterization of the SBFA by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed the presence of hydroxyl, silanol and other functional groups, whereas X-ray diffraction analysis indicated its amorphous nature. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy analysis showed a heterogeneous and irregular shape of pores. Adsorption isotherm was also studied besides the calculation of optimum treatment parameters for maximum reduction of COD and BOD concentration from effluent of sugar industry. The maximum COD removal recorded was 67.14% at the optimum condition of adsorbent dose of 4 g in 100 mL, contact time of 60 min, pH 8 and initial COD concentration 1750 mg/L, whereas the BOD of effluent removal was 44.82% at adsorbent dose of 4 g, contact time 60 min, pH 6 and initial BOD concentration 879 mg/L. In order to understand the mechanism of the adsorption process, the sorption data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The linear form of both models was fitted with the data and resulted in good conformation with both models. Finally, the rate of the adsorption process was investigated using Pseudo-first order kinetics and Pseudo second-order kinetic models. Both kinetics models were found to be well fitted to the data obtained (both Pseudo-first-order kinetic and pseudo-second-order kinetics). The finding of the study revealed that SBFA is effective adsorbent for reduction of organic pollutants.