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Development and techno-economic analysis of Grewia biopolymer-based dual coagulant system for wastewater treatment at
Kameni Ngounou M Bernard1, Om Prakash2, Charu Juneja3
1Wastewater Technology Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440020, India; Research Center, National Advanced School of Public Works, P.O. Box 510, Yaounde, Cameroon; Ucac-Icam, BP 5504, Douala, Cameroon; Industrial Filtration and Water Treatment (Chem. Eng.) Group, Department of Process Engineering, ENSAI, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon.
Abstract:
Use of Grewia biopolymer as a natural coagulant aid was explored in a dual-coagulant system (conventional coagulant + biopolymer) for wastewater treatment. Such use not only improved turbidity removal efficiency over a wide pH range (5-9) but also helped reducing the concentration demand of inorganic coagulants by 25-50 %. Response surface methodology was employed for investigating the interaction between factors (initial pH, coagulant, and biopolymer concentration) affecting coagulation/flocculation of aqueous laterite suspension, and process optimization for more than 80 % turbidity removal in the desired final pH range (6-7). Mechanisms potentially involved in coagulation/flocculation using biopolymer was elucidated. Techno-economic assessment indicated the feasibility of pilot-scale production of the biopolymer and its use in wastewater treatment. This study demonstrates that Grewia biopolymer has the potential to be used as a coagulant aid and will help researchers select appropriate markets for further cost reduction and successful implementation of biopolymer-based wastewater treatment.
