Ossein wastewater characterization and treatability study

Abstract

Literature about the treatment of wastewater from an “ossein plant” is not available. An attempt has been made to present the quantum of wastewater generated along with its characteristics in various sections of the “ossein plant”. A treatability study has also been conducted using lime at various pH levels varying from pH 7 to 9 which results in effluent quality in terms of COD (304–364 mg/l), chloride (2488–2764 mg/l) and phosphate (7.9–35.7 mg/l). Further bench-scale biodegradability tests were conducted on neutralized and settled wastewater using batch and continuous activated sludge aeration systems resulting in COD reduction of about 87% in a 16 h aeration period. Based on bench-scale treatability studies, a full-scale treatment plant has been in operation for the past 3 years with an effluent COD level of 40 mg/l and suspended solids of less than 100 mg/l. The treatment scheme suggested in this paper involves the application of chemical and biological unit operation processes.