Treating waste with waste: the potential of synthesized alum from bauxite waste for treating car wash wastewater for reuse
Treating waste with waste: the potential of synthesized alum from bauxite waste for treating car wash wastewater for reuse
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019-03-16
Authors
Monney, Isaac
Buamah, Richard
Donkor, Emmanuel Amponsah
Etuaful, Rashid
Nota, Hugo Kim
Ijzer, Hilco
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Abstract
This study assessed the contaminant removal potential of a low-cost alum synthesized from bauxite slime waste compared to
industrial grade alum [Al2(SO4)3.18H2O] in treating car wash wastewater using standard jar tests. The synthesized alum was
subsequently applied as a coagulant to test the short-term performance of a bench scale flocculation–flotation system for treating
car wash wastewater. Coagulant dosages and mixing intensities were optimized for both coagulants and differences were
analyzed with R using two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s (HSD) post hoc testing. Per the jar tests, percentage removal of up to
99%, 34%, and 75% of turbidity, anionic surfactants (AS), and COD, respectively, was achieved with 90 mg/L of the synthesized
alum compared to 100%, 37%, and 74% for industrial grade alum. Contaminant removal efficiencies of both coagulants were
comparable (p > 0.05). However, coagulant dosage strongly influenced the removal of turbidity, AS, and COD (p < 0.05) while
mixing intensity influenced all but COD. The bench-scale flocculation–flotation system completely removed turbidity (100%)
and reduced AS and COD by up to 92% and 99% respectively. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of alum
synthesized from bauxite slime waste as a cheaper alternative for industrial grade alum in wastewater recycling for the car wash
industry.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Monney, I., Buamah, R., Donkor, E. A., Etuaful, R., Nota, H. K., & Ijzer, H. (2019). Treating waste with waste: the potential of synthesized alum from bauxite waste for treating car wash wastewater for reuse. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26, 12755-12764.