Title: Treatment of latex processing effluent using aerobic granulation technology

Authors: B.K. Bindhu; G. Madhu; M. Haritha

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Government Engineering College, Velloor, Kottayam, Kerala, 686-501, India ' Fire and Safety Engineering Division, School of Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Thrikkakkara, Cochin, Kerala, 682022, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Government Engineering College, Velloor, Kottayam, Kerala, 686-501, India

Abstract: Latex processing industries consume large volumes of water and the discharge of wastewater may cause serious and prolonged consequences to the environment. Various treatment technologies that currently have been used for the latex processing effluent have many advantages and limitations. Aerobic granulation technology was used for the treatment of latex processing wastewater with a high organic loading rate (OLR) (6 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/ (m³ d)) and short settling time (5 min) in a laboratory scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Towards the end of five weeks of operation, stable granules of average size of 1.3 mm and average specific gravity of 1.007, with a settling velocity of 45 m/h were developed. Very high removal efficiencies were achieved for COD (97%), suspended solids (93.7%), and nitrogen (90.9%). Aerobic granulation technology is proved to be an excellent option for the treatment of effluents from latex processing units.

Keywords: aerobic granulation; latex processing effluent; sequencing batch reactor; SBR; organic loading rate; chemical oxygen demand; COD; settling time; settling velocity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.142734

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2024 Vol.35 No.4, pp.446 - 456

Accepted: 06 Jul 2022
Published online: 20 Nov 2024 *

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