Removal of solids from surfactant wastewater through synergetic utilization of Strychnos potatorum and Colocasia esculenta

Abstract

The presence of surfactants typically found in laundry discharge poses a serious threat to aquatic niche when let out in open water bodies. In the present study, activated carbon produced from a novel source, Colocasia esculenta has been suggested as adsorbent to trap turbid colloids present in the surfactant wastewater. A synthetic wastewater was prepared by spiking kaolin in aqueous solution for different concentrations and the adsorption studies have been conducted. The carbon has been modified into carbon-sodium alginate bead complex and the operating parameters like pH, adsorbent dosage and its contact time under different concentrations have been optimized. The maximum equilibrium uptake capacity of 2.067 mg/g was achieved at 60 min with adsorbent dosage of 1.5 g conducted in neutral pH. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to predict the reaction kinetics and it was hypothesized that multi-layer physisorption is predominant at higher concentrations. Strychnos potatorum, a common household bio-coagulant has been suggested in the continuous mode process designed specifically to treat the discharge form laundry. The total dissolved solids present in the wastewater has been reduced from 168 ppm to 12 ppm with a total reduction of 92.86%, while the turbidity has been reduced from an average 132 NTU to 10 NTU.

Investigation on the removal of contaminants from washing machine discharge using Strychnos potatorum (clearing nut) – A potential purifying agent

“…The powdered seed of SP contains coagulating qualities that have been employed for different aspects of wastewater treatment, including as turbidity, TDS, and pH. Many important physico-chemical parameters such as EC, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and PO 4 3− have not been elucidated [ 18 , 28 , 30 ]. The main objective of the study focuses on evaluating the potential of SP seeds in treating washing machine effluent.…”