Slaughterhouse Wastewater Treatment by Combined Chemical Coagulation and Electrocoagulation Process

Slaughterhouse wastewater contains various and high amounts of organic matter (e.g., proteins, blood, fat and lard). In order to produce an effluent suitable for stream discharge, chemical coagulation and electrocoagulation techniques have been particularly explored at the laboratory pilot scale for organic compounds removal from slaughterhouse effluent. The purpose of this work was to investigate the feasibility of treating cattle-slaughterhouse wastewater by combined chemical coagulation and electrocoagulation process to achieve the required standards. The influence of the operating variables such as coagulant dose, electrical potential and reaction time on the removal efficiencies of major pollutants was determined. The rate of removal of pollutants linearly increased with increasing doses of PACl and applied voltage. COD and BOD5 removal of more than 99% was obtained by adding 100 mg/L PACl and applied voltage 40 V. The experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of chemical and electrochemical techniques for the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewaters. Consequently, combined processes are inferred to be superior to electrocoagulation alone for the removal of both organic and inorganic compounds from cattle-slaughterhouse wastewater

Electrode consumption during chemical coagulation-electrocoagulation process.

<p>Electrode consumption during chemical coagulation-electrocoagulation process.</p

Influence of electrocoagulation process using aluminum electrodes on effluent quality parameters (mean values).

<p>Influence of electrocoagulation process using aluminum electrodes on effluent quality parameters (mean values).</p

Effect of applied voltage on pollutants removal efficiency (coagulant dose: 100 mg/L, reaction time: 60 min).

<p>Effect of applied voltage on pollutants removal efficiency (coagulant dose: 100 mg/L, reaction time: 60 min).</p

Electrical energy consumption during coagulation-electrocoagulation process (kWh/L).

<p>Electrical energy consumption during coagulation-electrocoagulation process (kWh/L).</p

Effect of applied voltage on pollutants removal efficiency (coagulant dose: 75 mg/L, reaction time: 60 min).

<p>Effect of applied voltage on pollutants removal efficiency (coagulant dose: 75 mg/L, reaction time: 60 min).</p

Effect of applied voltage on pollutants removal efficiency (coagulant dose: 50 mg/L, reaction time: 60 min).

<p>Effect of applied voltage on pollutants removal efficiency (coagulant dose: 50 mg/L, reaction time: 60 min).</p

Effects of coagulant dose (PACl) on pollutants removal efficiency at pilot scale coagulation process.

<p>Effects of coagulant dose (PACl) on pollutants removal efficiency at pilot scale coagulation process.</p

Effect of applied voltage on pollutants removal efficiency (coagulant dose: 25 mg/L, reaction time: 60 min).

<p>Effect of applied voltage on pollutants removal efficiency (coagulant dose: 25 mg/L, reaction time: 60 min).</p

Characteristics of the experimental cattle slaughterhouse wastewater.

<p>Characteristics of the experimental cattle slaughterhouse wastewater.</p