Advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of tannery wastewater

This study has focused on the treatment of real tannery effluent using different advanced oxidation processes in lab and pilot scale studies. Periodic monitoring was conducted for five months to identify the performance at different stages of treatment in the CETP. Monthly monitoring analysis shows that ratio of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were about 0.1-0.25. It was observed that even after physicochemical treatment the sample had a low biodegradability index (BDI). For this reason, more efficient methods of advanced oxidation processes like Fenton, Ozonation have been experimented with primary settling tank (PST) effluent to improve the biodegradation in the successive activated sludge process and secondary settling tank (SST) effluent to remove the residual inorganics. Sample collection and analysis were performed using standard methods of analysis. Pollutant removal efficiency was measured in terms of reduction in COD and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). The purification effect obtained by Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) was better in Ozone when compared to Fenton. A three step process of (coagulation + aeration + O-3) resulted in 80-90% reduction of COD. Coagulation, extended aeration followed by ozonation was recognized as the best method of treatment of tannery wastewater. Lab scale and pilot scale studies were done with real tannery wastewater effluents and the economics of the treatment processes were evaluated.