Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

WASTEWATER TREATMENT : MILK PROCESSING INDUSTRY EFFLUENT USING SEQUENTIAL BATCH REACTOR PROCESS

Y. Ibrahim, M. Ayisha Sidiqua, Vasanthi Padmanabhan, Sufiyan Ahmed Jeddy and R. Tauseef Ahamed

Abstract

Studies on the effect of intermittent cycle time on organic matter and nutrient removal were conducted using the Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) process to make it suitable for the reuse of dairy wastewater for irrigation or other industrial purpose. The effect of various aeration time phases such as 1.5hrs, 3hrs, 4.5hrs and 6hrs were analyzed in the lab scale SBR for the cycle time of (2,4,6,8) hrs respectively. Batch Activated Sludge Process (ASP) process (Fill-1.5hrs, Aeration-18hrs, Settling-3hrs, Decant-1.5hrs) was conducted and the performance of the same for nutrient removal has been studied. The relative performance of the two methods was evaluated. From the effects of various cycle times, the 8hrs cycle time was found to be more efficient in removal of nutrient. For the 8hrs cycle time, the removal efficiency of nutrient like TKN, Ammonical nitrogen, Nitrate nitrogen and phosphate were 86%, 89%, 95% and 96% respectively. The COD, BOD, TSS and O&G removal efficiency were 93%, 99%, 93% and 95% respectively. The Batch ASP was conducted for the cycle time of 24hrs and organic matter removal efficiency was in the range of 93 to 99% and nutrient removal efficiency was in the range of 75 to 82%. Comparing the relative performance of 8hr SBR cycle time and Batch ASP, the 8hr SBR cycle time was found to be more efficient for nutrient removal. Hence, the enhancement of nutrient removal from dairy effluent by using SBR was found feasible.