Experimental design for optimization of olive mill wastewater final purification with Dowex Marathon C and Amberlite IRA-67 ion exchange resins

The final purification of two-phase olive mill wastewater (OMW-2) by ion exchange (IE) was addressed. This pollutant effluent was previously subjected to Pseudo-Fenton secondary treatment. Consequently, OMW-2 presented high concentrations of chloride, sodium, phenols and iron, which hinder its discharge. Experimental design was used to optimize the IE process. Around 88% removal efficiencies of these pollutants were achieved when initial pH, temperature and flow rate were 5.1, 26.8 degrees C and 12.1 Lh(-1), respectively. Finally, 28 L treated water could be accomplished in continuous mode under optimal conditions, complying with standards for reuse in the olive oil production process. (C) 2015 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.