Rubber mill wastewater treatment using sequence batch Reactor in aerobic condition

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) has certain advantages over conventional activated
sludge processes (ASP) for the treatment of Rubber mill wastewater. The
performance of a sequencing batch reactor in treating rubber mill wastewater
effluents was investigated with a suspended biomass configuration and operating
under aerobic conditions. Two reactors were used in this study with varying organic
loading rates (OLR) and Hydraulic retention time (HRT). A total sequence of 24 h
(15 min: filling phase; 23 h: reaction phase (aeration with recirculation); 30 min:
setting; and 15 min: withdrawal) was employed and studied with various organic
loading rates (0.047 kg COD/m3/day and 0.0933 kg COD/m3/day for reactor 1) and
(0.1399 kg COD/m3/day and 0.1866 kg COD/m3/day for reactor 2). The SBR
performance was assessed by means of Chemical oxygen demand (COD),
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Zinc, Nitrogen removal and operational
parameters such as pH, sludge volume (SV), suspended solids (SS) and volatile
suspended solids (VSS), which were monitored during the reactors operation. The
SBR showed relatively more efficient performance in treating the rubber wastewater
about 81.24% and 74.81% COD respectively was removed and 91% and 90% BOD
respectively was removed. A final zinc concentration of 0.4 mg/L and 0.98 mg/L
were achieved in reactor 1 and 2 respectively.