A biomaterial was successfully synthesized from Plantago ovata by using an FeCl3-induced crude extract (FCE). The potential of FCE to act as a natural coagulant was tested for the pretreatment of real textile wastewater. Tests were performed to evaluate the effects of FCE quantity, salt concentration, and wastewater pH on chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction during a coagulation/flocculation process. Experimental results indicated that the wastewater
could be effectively treated by using a coagulation/flocculation process, where the BOD5/COD ratio of the effluent was improved to 0.48. A low coagulant dose, 1.5mg/L, achieved a high COD removal percentage, 89%, at operational conditions of neutral pH and room temperature. The experimental data revealed that the maximum COD removal occurred at water pH<8. Increasing the salt promoted the COD removal. The settling and filterability characteristics of the sludge were also studied. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy studies were conducted to determine the sludge structure and composition, respectively. Overall, FCE as an eco-friendly biomaterial was revealed to be a very efficient coagulant and a promising option for the removal of COD from wastewaters.
Wang JP, Yuan SJ, Wang Y, Yu HQ, Water Res., 47, 2643, 2013
Raychaudhuri SP, Ahmad J, Cultivation of important medicinal plants in India, In Glimpses in Plant Research, Today and Tomorrow’s Printers and Publishers, New Delhi, 10, 247, 1993
Chadho KL, Rajender G, Advances in horticulture medicinal and Aromatic plants, Maldorta Publication, New Delhi, 11, 1995
Okuda T, Baes AU, Nishijima W, Okada M, Water Res., 35, 830, 2001
Okuda T, Baes AU, Nishijima W, Okada M, Water Res., 33, 3373, 1999
APHA (American Public Health Association), Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 20th Ed, APHA, AWWA, WEF, Washington DC, USA, 1998
Altaher H, J. Hazard. Mater., 233-234, 97, 2012
Okuda T, Baes AU, Nishijima W, Okada M, Water Res., 35, 405, 2001