Feasible and economical treatment of real hand-drawn batik/textile effluent using zwitterionic adsorbent coating: Removal performance and industrial application approach

A novel adsorbent-based coating with zwitterionic functionality (ZwitAd) was employed to treat the heavily polluted hand-drawn batik industrial effluent. The adsorbent was prepared as a coating and supported onto a cotton cloth by applying a simple preparation method based on the combined use of clay-based adsorbent, polymer-based binder, and cationic polyelectrolyte. Batik effluent which is known to have high chemical oxygen demand (COD) (412-2205 mg/L) and colour intensity (500-16900 ADMI) has undertaken treatment process using ZwitAd. The results showed a significant reduction of COD (147 mg/L), colour (128 ADMI), and pH (7.34), which complied with the standard discharge limit for industrial effluent regulations. The finding proved that ZwitAd is applicable to reduce the COD and colour intensity and stabilise the pH of water. This new innovative treatment has simultaneously improved the effluent conditions and minimised operational costs, and minimum secondary waste is generated. The proposed application of ZwitAd at an industrial scale has also been introduced as a functional industrial storage tank with a feasible and practical operation.

Automated summary

A novel adsorbent-based coating with zwitterionic functionality (ZwitAd) was successfully employed to treat heavily polluted hand-drawn batik industrial effluent, reducing COD and color intensity, stablizing pH in compliance with industrial effluent regulations, while minimizing operational costs and secondary waste generation.