This degree thesis studied the viability of treating molasses waste water using a combination of chitosan and activated carbon. Chitosan is obtained by deacetylation of chitin and is an important polymer in water treatment. Activated carbon is a powerful absorbent that is used in filtration. Effects of temperature, time, oh and agitation was studied. The research pointed important leads to embracing chitosan in waste water treatment.
Kenya is a major sugar producer with a sugar production output of 591,658 tonnes. The sugar industry encompasses sugar refining which yields molasses used in molasses distilleries to produce ethanol. The molasses distillery produces distillery waste known as spent wash which has a high BOD/COD, bad odor and brown color. The high BOD/COD can be removed by conventional means such as aerobic and anaerobic digesters, but it is this brown caramelized compounds known as melanoidins that must be removed by unconventional means since they are recalcitrant and difficult to biodegrade biologically. This project aims to explore
options of removing recalcitrant compounds in molasses waste water by adsorption process using powdered activated carbon and chitosan a biopolymer derived from chitin.
Sugarcane molasses is the by-product of the sugar production industry which are generated during sugar production. Sugarcane molasses contains 50% fermentable sugar is dark brown, putrid and viscous liquid. Sugarcane molasses is a feedstock for ethanol production and is used in a ratio of 1:1 for fermentation and purification of spirit. The product collected as bottom products form spent wash which is the major constituent of molasses waste water. Properties of molasses include high acidity, strong odor, coloring pigments due to presence of melanoidins, metal sulfides and phenolics giving it brown color. Spent wash is one of the serious pollution problems of countries producing alcohol from fermentation and subsequent distillation of cane molasses. According to distillery spent wash is characterized as one of the caramelized and recalcitrant wastes containing extremely high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), inorganic solids and low in pH 1-2. The post methanation distillery effluent produced from treatment is characterized by high BOD, COD, intense brown colour due to presence of melanoidin pigments and high levels of salts and nutrient rich.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Overview
- 1.2 Physical Chemical Characteristics of molasses waste water
- 1.3 Problem statement
- 1.4 Objectives
- 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
- 2.1 MOLASSES
- 2.2 USES OF MOLASSES
- 2.3 Molasses waste water pigments
- 2.4 Post treatment methods for spent wash
- 2.5 Chitosan
- 2.6 Adsorption kinetic models
- 2.7 Equilibrium Isotherms
- 2.8 Derivation of freundlich equation
- 2.9 The Langmuir isotherm
- 2.10 Chitosan Biosorption
- 2.10.1 Sorption process on chitosan biopolymer
- 2.11 Powdered Activated Carbon
- 2.12 Types of Activated Carbon
- 3 Methodology
- 4 Experimental Results and Analysis
- 4.1 Apparatus and Reagents
- 4.2 Calibration Analysis
- 4.3 Contact Time Comparison
- 4.4 PH Comparison
- 4.5 Concentration of Molasses Waste Water
- 4.6 Combination Dose
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This project investigates the removal of recalcitrant compounds, specifically melanoidins, from molasses wastewater, a byproduct of the sugar industry in Kenya. The research focuses on adsorption as a treatment method using a combination of powdered activated carbon and chitosan. The primary goal is to explore the effectiveness of this combined approach in reducing the high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the wastewater.
- Removal of recalcitrant compounds from molasses wastewater
- Effectiveness of adsorption using powdered activated carbon and chitosan
- Optimization of adsorption parameters (contact time, adsorbent dose, pH)
- Analysis of adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms
- Evaluation of the combined use of powdered activated carbon and chitosan for wastewater treatment
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the research project by outlining the context of molasses wastewater treatment in Kenya's sugar industry. It highlights the problem of high BOD/COD and the presence of melanoidins, which are recalcitrant to conventional biological treatment methods. The chapter establishes the research objectives, clearly defining the aim to investigate the adsorption process using powdered activated carbon and chitosan as a potential solution.
2 LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter provides a comprehensive review of existing literature related to molasses, its uses, and the characteristics of its wastewater. It delves into different post-treatment methods for spent wash, exploring both conventional and unconventional approaches. The chapter also thoroughly examines the properties and applications of chitosan and powdered activated carbon, laying the groundwork for understanding the chosen adsorbents. Specific attention is paid to adsorption kinetic models and equilibrium isotherms, crucial for interpreting the experimental data presented later.
3 Methodology: This section details the experimental design and procedures followed throughout the project. It provides a clear description of the apparatus and reagents used, ensuring the reproducibility of the research. The methodology is meticulously explained, offering a transparent account of the experimental steps undertaken to test the efficacy of the combined use of activated carbon and chitosan in removing pollutants from molasses wastewater. This clarity is essential for understanding the validity and limitations of the results.
4 Experimental Results and Analysis: This chapter presents and analyzes the experimental data obtained throughout the study. It meticulously examines the results obtained from different experiments manipulating parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose, and pH levels. The analysis includes graphical representations and detailed explanations of how the different parameters impact the adsorption process. The chapter systematically examines the data, highlighting key findings about the effectiveness and limitations of the chosen method. The comprehensive analysis of the results will allow the reader to understand how effectively the method worked under various conditions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Molasses wastewater, powdered activated carbon, chitosan, adsorption, melanoidins, BOD, COD, wastewater treatment, biopolymer, sugar industry, Kenya.
Frequently Asked Questions: Molasses Wastewater Treatment Using Powdered Activated Carbon and Chitosan
What is the main topic of this research?
This research investigates the removal of recalcitrant compounds, specifically melanoidins, from molasses wastewater, a byproduct of the Kenyan sugar industry. It focuses on using a combination of powdered activated carbon and chitosan through adsorption as a treatment method to reduce high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
What are the objectives of this study?
The primary goal is to explore the effectiveness of combining powdered activated carbon and chitosan in reducing the BOD and COD of molasses wastewater. Specific objectives include: removing recalcitrant compounds, optimizing adsorption parameters (contact time, adsorbent dose, pH), analyzing adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms, and evaluating the combined use of the adsorbents.
What methods were used in this research?
The research employed adsorption as the treatment method using a combination of powdered activated carbon and chitosan. The methodology section details the experimental design, apparatus, reagents, and procedures used, ensuring reproducibility. Experiments varied parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose, and pH to assess their impact on pollutant removal.
What are the key themes explored in this research?
Key themes include the removal of recalcitrant compounds (melanoidins) from molasses wastewater, the effectiveness of adsorption using powdered activated carbon and chitosan, optimization of adsorption parameters, analysis of adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms, and the evaluation of the combined adsorbent approach.
What are the key findings (summarized)?
The experimental results and analysis chapter presents data from experiments manipulating contact time, adsorbent dose, and pH. Graphical representations and detailed explanations show how these parameters influence the adsorption process. The chapter highlights the effectiveness and limitations of the combined treatment method.
What is the structure of the document?
The document includes an introduction, a literature review covering molasses, its wastewater, treatment methods, chitosan, activated carbon, and relevant adsorption models; a methodology section detailing the experimental procedures; and a results and analysis section. A table of contents and chapter summaries are also provided.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Molasses wastewater, powdered activated carbon, chitosan, adsorption, melanoidins, BOD, COD, wastewater treatment, biopolymer, sugar industry, Kenya.
What is the significance of this research?
This research offers a potential solution to the environmental challenge posed by molasses wastewater in Kenya's sugar industry. By investigating the effectiveness of a combined adsorption approach using readily available materials, it contributes to sustainable and cost-effective wastewater treatment.
Where can I find more details about the experimental setup and results?
The full research document contains detailed information on the experimental apparatus, reagents, procedures, data analysis, and graphical representations of results in the "Methodology" and "Experimental Results and Analysis" chapters.
What is the intended audience for this document?
This document is intended for academic use, providing a comprehensive overview of the research for analysis of themes related to molasses wastewater treatment.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Humphrey Mutuma (Autor:in), 2016, Treatment of Molasses waste water using chitosan and activated carbon. Waste water treatment, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/978589
