Flocculation behaviour of model textile wastewater treated with a food grade polysaccharide

In this study, the application of a food grade polysaccharide namely Plantago psyllium mucilage has been assessed for the removal of dyes from model textile wastewater containing golden yellow (C.I. Vat Yellow 4) and reactive black (C.I. Reactive Black 5). A series of contact time experiments were conducted to assess the system variables such as concentrations of mucilage and dyes and pH. This mucilage reduces the dye concentration by flocculation and settling. The optimal flocculant concentration required to affect flocculation is independent of dye concentration within the range examined. The dye removal obtained was influenced by the salts concentrations in the wastewater sample. The flocculation efficiency was sensitive to pH when pure aqueous solutions of dyes were used, but it was relatively unaffected by pH change when salts were added to the dye solutions. The experimental results show that the mucilage is more effective for removal of solubilised vat dye than for reactive black.