Effectiveness of aluminum polychloride on oil palm industrial wastewater post-treatment

Abstract

Oil extraction plants demand large amount of water in their processes, generating wastewater, solid residuals and therefore negative environmental impact. The research objective was to evaluate the effectivity of aluminum polychloride (PAC) on contaminating parameter [Oxygen Chemical Demand (OCD), fats and oils (F and O), turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (SSV)] removal from the wastewater effluent of OLEOFLORES biological treatment in Codazzi – Cesar. Composed sampling of wastewater and characterization were performed according to IDEAM Initial values for OCD, F and O, turbidity, TSS and VSS of 4111,20 mg L-1, 737,26 mg L-1, 939,33 NTU, 870 mg L-1, 673,33 mg L-1, respectively, were found. An optimal dose of 3963 mg L-1 of PAC, removing 75,79%, 86,21% y 98,8%. Compared with Aluminum sulphate were the maximum removal rate for OCD, TSS and F and O were 34,14%, 11,88% y 85,64%, respectively. It is concluded that the PAC is an effective option for wastewater treatment, contributing to improve life quality of life for populations who benefit from water affected by effluents.

Keywords

• industrial water
• palm oil
• coagulant
• aluminium polychloride
• post –treatment