Abstract
An evaluation of a laboratory-scale aerobic method for the treatment of potato-processing wastewater at 37°C was investigated. Composite samples were collected to establish batch variations. The wastewater was characterized for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Permanganate Value (PV), Total Solids (TS), phosphates and pH over a period of 6 months. Wastewater with an average of 6.8 g COD/l, high concentration of total solids (up to 6725 mg/l), and low pH was subjected to active sludge treatment in a Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) with Organic Loading Rates (OLRs) gradually increased from 3.4 to 12.1 g COD/litre/day. Stepwise increase in OLR reduced average COD reduction from 86% at 3.4 g COD/litre/day to 76% at 12.1 g COD/litre/day. High rates of treatment efficiency (TE) were recorded at low OLRs (<6.8 g COD/litre day) with a notable pH of the effluent increasing from 4 to neutral values. TS reduction was achieved at 57% at HRT of 2 d. This study indicated that biological methods can be used for treatment of potato-processing wastewater in order to reduce the organic load and other pollutants acceptable levels for municipal discharge. Key words: Potato wastewater, biotreatment, mesophilic, continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), activated sludge.
Highlights
The biotechnological treatment of organic waste is an integral part of a developed society
The results indicated that the pH rose from 3.7 of the influent to 9.0 after 6 days of fermentation thereafter leveling off
This study indicated that aerobic biotreatment systems for wastewater can be implemented for efficient reduction of potato-processing wastewater at high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels by 80% without increasing the sludge levels
Summary
The biotechnological treatment of organic waste is an integral part of a developed society. Food industries produce large quantities of effluent wastewater which is characterized by high concentration of organic pollutants and low concentrations of nutrients. The size of the wastewater output is seasonal, extensively varying in its quality (Zvauya et al, 1994; Suman et al, 2004). Food industrial effluents are characterized by high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (Orhon et al, 1993; Suman et al., 2004; Mishra et al, 2004). Noted major components in food industries wastewater effluents include; fats, oil/grease and a host of other recoverable nutrients from its organic material like starch, proteins, as well as mineral elements that include phosphorous and potassium (Mane and Qasim, 2013). Disposal of the wastewater from industry threatens environmental quality and underutilize the energy potential of the wastewater. Wastewater management is increasingly gaining momentum and it is Manhokwe et al 93 the clearest paradigm of environmentally friendly technologies (Seghezzo et al, 1998)
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