A sustainable and environmentally friendly approach for wastewater treatment using natural flocculants: pH effect and optimization

Saba Abdolalian¹ Bahman Nazari² Mohsen Taghavijeloudar³

1) MSc., Environment Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran
2) MSc., Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Babol University of Technology, 47148-71167, Babol, Iran
3) PhD of Environment Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, 151‑744 Seoul, South Korea

Publication : 2nd International Congress on Civil Engineering, Architecture, Building Materials and Environment(caucong.com/2nd)
Abstract :
Coagulation and flocculation is one of the most important solid-liquid separation processes that is used in wastewater treatment. In this study, performance of Pistacia terebinthus, as an eco-friendly coagulant for wastewater treatment was evaluated. To do this, different dosages of Pistacia terebinthus (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g/L) was applied to wastewater samples to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity. Additionally, the effect of various initial pH (3, 5, 7, 9, 11) on the flucculant performance and settling time was investigated. Moreover, zeta potential analysis was conducted to find the main mechanism of treatment. The results showed that in the optimal condition of NF dosage= 2 g/L and pH=11after 60 minutes of settling time, maximum removal efficiencies of 95% and 98% was obtained for COD and turbidity, respectively. Moreover, it can be concluded that the main mechanism of the Pistacia terebinthus as natural flocculant with pH adjustment is bridging combined with charge neutralization.
Keywords : Wastewater Flocculation Pistacia terebinthus pH adjustment.