Trend and current practices of coagulation-based hybrid systems for pulp and paper mill effluent treatment: mechanisms, optimization techniques and performance evaluation

This paper presents an overview of pulp and paper mills (PPM) production processes, the resulting release of wastewater effluent loaded with wide range of pollutants and associated environmental impacts. The review highlighted the different types of functional materials and their modified forms employed as coagulants for pulp and paper mills industries effluent (PPME) treatment that have been intensively studied as a promising strategy for PPM to achieve cleaner and sustainable treatments in accordance with sustainable development goals (SDGs) 6-Clean water and sanitation, 9-Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and 12-Responsible consumption and production. Standalone coagulation treatment processes are inherently ineffective towards meeting the increasingly stringent discharge requirements, coupled with their higher energy demand, and increased opera-tional and maintenance costs. Owing to the recalcitrant nature of PPME contaminants, this review explored the effectiveness of the coagulation processes for decontamination of PPME. Furthermore, the review provides a state-of-the-art coagulation-based hybrid systems employed for enhanced PPME treatment. The process limita-tions, influencing factors and optimization techniques are highlighted. The review also highlights how sustained research in the subject area impacts on achieving cleaner production. The review also discusses coagulant classifications and the synergistic, antagonistic and shock load toxic effects of hybrid coagulants on toxicant biodegradation and their associated system efficiency. Moreover, it offers a guide for the development and application of sustainable hybrid-based coagulants for PPME treatment. The findings presented herein provide a vital theoretical foundation for sustainable solutions to improve coagulation-based hybrid systems efficiency and their scale-up towards potential commercialization.

Automated summary

This paper provides an overview of the production processes and environmental impacts of pulp and paper mills (PPM). It highlights the use of functional materials as coagulants for treating the wastewater effluent from PPM, aiming to achieve cleaner and sustainable treatments. The paper discusses the limitations of standalone coagulation treatment processes and explores the effectiveness of coagulation processes for decontamination. Furthermore, it presents coagulation-based hybrid systems for enhanced treatment and discusses the classification and effects of coagulants on system efficiency and toxicant biodegradation.