Conventional approach for abattoir wastewater treatment

Detailed physico-chemical studies on abattoir effluent using lime, alum, ferrous sulphate and an anionic polyelectrolyte were tried individually and in combination. Among the coagulants tried, lime resulted in good settling of the sludge. At 400 mg l(-1) of lime dose, the Suspended Solids (SS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removals were found to be 41.9%, 38.9% and 36.1%, respectively. Best results were obtained with lime and ferrous sulphate in a combination ratio of 400:100 mg l(-1), and the COD reduction of 36.1% at 400 mg l(-1) of lime, further improved to 56.8%. Lime and alum dose of 400:50 mg l(-1) resulted in an increased COD reduction of 42.6% compared to 36.1% at lime dose of 400 mg l(-1). However, the same lime dose with ferrous sulphate addition of 100 mg l(-1) resulted in an increased COD reduction of 56.8% compared to 36.1%. This is a more efficient option for abattoir wastewater treatment and also cost effective. Ferrous sulphate with anionic polyelectrolyte resulted in good removals. Though it is a costly chemical, the dose needed is just half that of lime and just 0.1 mg l(-1) of anionic polyelectrolyte resulted in good reductions in SS, BOD and COD of 54.2%, 49.6% and 43.8% respectively. Studies indicated that the lime and ferrous sulphate in the combination of 400:100 mg l(-1), and ferrous sulphate and polyelectrolyte in the combination of 100:0.1 mg l(-1) are the two feasible options. Lime in combination with alum can also be applied but resultant sludge volume would be more.