Waste and byproduct utilisation
PRE AND PRIMARY TREATMENT OF WASTE
A] Solid Waste Disposal
- Solid waste disposal refers to the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of solid
waste materials generated by households, industries and commercial activities.
- Proper waste disposal is essential to prevent pollution, protect public health and conserve
resources
•Methods of Solid Waste Disposal:
1. Landfilling
2. Incineration
3. Recycling
4. Composting
5. Waste-to-Energy (WTE)
6. Open Dumping
7. Ocean Dumping
1. Landfilling: Waste is buried in designated landfill sites. Modern sanitary landfills use liners and
leachate collection systems to minimize environmental impact.
2. Incineration: Waste is burned at high temperatures in specialized facilities. This method
reduces waste volume and can generate energy but may produce air pollution if not properly
managed.
3. Recycling: Materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal are processed and reused,
reducing the demand for raw materials.
4. Composting: Organic waste (like food scraps and yard waste) is decomposed into
nutrient-rich soil amendments through natural biol andogical processes.
5. Waste-to-Energy (WTE): Technologies like pyrolysis and gasification convert waste into
usable energy sources like electricity or biofuels.
6. Open Dumping (Not Recommended): Unregulated disposal of waste in open areas leads to
pollution, health hazards, and environmental degradation.
7. Ocean Dumping (Not recommended): Disposing of waste in water bodies can harm marine
ecosystems and is restricted in many countries.
1] Pre-treatment:
The pretreatment of food processing wastewater is frequently required prior to discharge into a
municipal waste treatment system. Most common pre-treatment are as follow:
1. Screening: The most frequently used process for pre-treatment is screening, which normally
employs vibrating screens, static screens, or a rotary screen. Large debris like sticks, rags, and
plastic are removed using metal grates or screens.
3. Skimming and Grit removal: Removal of the floating scum layer from the sedimentation tank
is skimming and removal of heavier particles like sand and gravel by settling.
2. Flow equalization: Controlling the flow rate of wastewater to ensure consistent treatment.
Flow equalization and neutralization are used to reduce hydraulic loading in the waste stream
2] Primary treatments
Coagulation
Coagulation in Wastewater Treatment
Definition:
Coagulation is a chemical process used in wastewater treatment to destabilize suspended
particles, colloids, and other impurities so they can be more easily removed. It's typically the first
step in solid-liquid separation, followed by flocculation and sedimentation or filtration.
# Procedure
1. Addition of Coagulants:
Coagulants are chemicals that neutralize the negative charges on particles, allowing them to
come together. Common coagulants include:
- Aluminum sulfate (alum)
- Ferric chloride
- Ferric sulfate
- Polyaluminum chloride (PAC)
2. Destabilization of Particles:
- Most particles in wastewater have a negative surface charge, causing them to repel each
other.
- Coagulants neutralize this charge, reducing repulsion.
3. Formation of Microflocs:
Once destabilized, particles begin to form small clumps called microflocs.
4. Transition to Flocculation:
In the next stage (flocculation), these microflocs are gently mixed to form larger, heavier flocs
that can settle out of the water or be filt
• Applications in Wastewater Treatment:
- Municipal wastewater: Removes organic matter, phosphates, and suspended solids.
- Industrial wastewater: Targets heavy metals, dyes, oils, and other process-related pollutants.
- Stormwater runoff: Removes turbidity, sediments,
2] Flocculation
Flocculation is a key process in wastewater treatment used to remove suspended solids by
aggregating them into larger particles called flocs, which can then be more easily separated
from water.
Procedure
1. Coagulation (Precursor Step):
- Chemicals called coagulants (e.g., alum, ferric chloride) are added to destabilize the negatively
charged particles in the water.
- This allows particles to come closer together.
2. Flocculation:
- After coagulation, gentle mixing helps the destabilized particles collide and stick together to
form larger aggregates (flocs).
- Flocculants like polymers (cationic, anionic, or nonionic) may be added to aid the process.
3. Separation:
- The larger flocs are removed through:
Sedimentation (they settle at the bottom),
- Filtration
- Flotation (lighter particles float and are skimmed off).
• Applications in Wastewater Treatment
- Municipal wastewater:
Removes organic and inorganic solids
- Industrial wastewater:
Treats heavy metals, dyes, oils, and other pollutants
- Stormwater treatment:
Reduces sediment and turbidity
• Sedimentation:
- The majority of settle able solids sink to the bottom due to gravity.
- Sedimentation is the most common primary treatment technique used to remove solids from
wastewater influent.
- A rectangular settling tank or a circular tank is most frequently used in primary treatment.
• Flotation
Flotation is a physical separation process used to remove suspended solids, oils, greases, and
other contaminants from wastewater by making them float to the surface where they can be
skimmed off.
It relies on the attachment of fine gas bubbles to the particles, which decreases their density
and causes them to rise.
