Characteristics of industrial waste

Characteristics of
Industrial Wastewater
#Chap 2
Asst.Prof. Torpong Kreetachat
2 Sep 2015

Student should be able to;
EXPLAIN, INTERPRET, and
CALCULATE the physical,
chemical and biological properties
of waste material and DESCRIBE
its toxicology. REWRITE the
common wastewater constituents
and contaminants.

Physical
 Related to the quality of water for domestic use.
 Associated with the appearance of water
 Eg. Color, turbidity, temperature, taste and odor.
Chemical
 Sometimes evidenced by their observed reactions (comparative performance of
hard & soft waters in laundering)
 Most often, differences are not visible.
Microbiology
 Very important in their relation to public health
 Significant in modifying the physical and chemical characteristic of water
Radiological
 Considered in areas where there is a possibility that the water may have come in
contact with radioactive substances
(Davis and Cornwell,2008)
4 categories to describe water quality;

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SOLIDS
The most important characteristic of wastewater
Composed of floating matter, settleable matter, colloidal
matter and matter in solution.
Solids found in wastewater;
Total solids (TS)
Mass remain after evaporation at 103-105o
C
Total Suspended Solid (TSS)
Mass remain on whatman filter GF/C after drying at
103-105o
C
Volatile Suspended Solid (VSS)
Solids that can be volatilized and burned off
when TSS are ignited at 500+50o
C. (applied most
commonly to wastewater sludge to measure their
biological stability)
Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Those solids that pass through the filter and are
then evaporated and dried at specified temp.
Settleable Solids
Solid settle at the bottom of an “Inhoff Cone” after
60mins
(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)
Solids removed by
settling and separated
from wash water are
called sludge, which
may then be pumped
to drying beds or
filtered for extraction
of additional water
(dewatering).

TURBIDIT
Y
Measure of the light –transmitting properties of
the water due to presence of suspended material
such as clay, organic material, plankton & other
particulate material.
Measured based on comparison of the intensity
of light scattered by reference suspension under the
same condition.
Unit = Turbidity Unit (TU)@
Nephlometric Turbidity Unit (NTU)
Clay @ other suspended particle – not adversely
affect health but water containing such particles may
require treatment.
Turbidity excess of 5 TU easily detectable in a
glass of water.
Continue….

Refer to degree of absorption of light energy in
visible spectrum (400-700nm)
Causes by ;
• dissolved organic material from decaying
vegetation & certain inorganic matter.
• excessive blooms of algae or growth of aquatic
microorganisms.
But its presence is aesthetically objectionable & needs
appropriate treatment.
Activated sludge and trickling filters can remove a certain
percentage of some types of colored matter.
Sometimes color matters needs chemical oxidation
procedures for removal.
COLOR
Continue….

Continue….
TASTE
&
ODOR
Cause by foreign matter (organic
compound, inorganic salts @ dissolved gases.
Odors are usually caused by gases produced
by the decomposition of organic matter or
by substances added to the wastewater.
Industrial wastewater may contain either
odorous compounds or compounds that
produce odor during the process of
wastewater treatment.
Comes from domestic, agricultural @
natural sources.
At point of use, drinking water should be free
from any objectionable taste @ odor.

Continue….
Very important parameter - its effect on chemical
reactions and reaction rates, aquatic life, and the
suitability of the water for beneficial uses.
The increase in the rate of biochemical reactions that
accompanies an increase in temperature, combined with
the decrease in the quantity of oxygen present in
surface waters, can often cause serious depletions in
dissolved oxygen concentration in the summer months.
Abnormally high temperatures can foster the growth
of undesirable water plants and wastewater
fungus
Most desirable drinking waters are consistently cool &
do not have fluctuations of more than a few degrees.
Oxygen is less soluble in warm water than in
cold water
Industrial establishments that use surface water for
cooling-water purposes are particularly concerned
with the temperature of the intake water.
Groundwater & surface water usually meet these
criteria.
TEMP.

Continue….
The hydrogen-ion concentration is an important
quality parameter of wastewater.
The concentration range suitable for the existence of
most biological life is quite narrow and critical.
Wastewater with an adverse concentration of hydrogen
ion is difficult to treat by biological means, and if the
concentration is not altered before discharge, the
wastewater effluent may alter the concentration
in the natural waters.
pH

mine the concentration of total solids(TS), total dissolved solids (TDS),
suspended solids (TSS), and volatile suspended solids (VSS) in 50mL of
water based on data given;
of dry dish = 53.5433 g
of dry dish + residue after drying at 105o
C = 53.5794 g
of dry dish + residue after ignition at 550o
C = 53.5625 g
of Whatman GF/C filter = 1.5433 g
of Whatman GF/C filter + residue after drying at 105o
C = 1.5554 g
of Whatman GF/C filter + residue after ignition at 550o
C = 1.5476 g
xample 1; Analysis of Solids Data….
Ans : Total solids(TS) = 722 mg/L
Total dissolved solids (TDS) = 384 mg/L
Total suspended solids (TSS) = 242 mg/L
Volatile suspended solids (VSS) = 86 mg/L

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Most of water contain.
Amount presence causes by ;
-Leaching of marine sedimentary deposits
-Pollution from sea water @ brine @ industrial
@ domestic waste.
Chloride conc. > 250 mg/L – noticeable taste
Domestic water should contain < 100 mg/L
chloride.
Some areas – water source contain natural fluoride.
Excessive fluoride in drinking water – produce
fluorosis (mottling) of teeth.
Mottled – black sports @ streaks and may become
brittle when exposed to large amounts of fluoride.
Acceptable level for fluoride conc. between 0.8 –
1.3 mg/L
CHLORID
E
FLUORID
E
(Davis and Cornwell, 2008)

Nitrogen
Because nitrogen is an essential building block in
the synthesis of protein, nitrogen data will be
required to evaluate the treatability of
wastewater by biological processes.
Insufficient nitrogen can necessitate the addition of
nitrogen to make the wastewater treatable.
Where control of alga growth in the receiving water
is necessary to protect beneficial uses, removal or
reduction of nitrogen in wastewaters prior to discharge
may be desirable.
The total nitrogen, as a commonly used
parameter, consists of many numerous compounds
such as; NH3, NH4-N, NO3-N, NO2-N, urea, organic-
N (amines, amino acids, ...etc).

TKN
Ammonia N Organic N
Biodegradable Nonbiodegradable
Soluble Particulate Soluble Particulate
TKN – 60 – 70% as NH4
+
Nonbiodegradable N ~ 6% of SSV expressed as COD
Nitrogen fractionatin

Ammonia-Nitrogen Test (Bio
Laboratory)
Using DR2800 reactor
Prepare Sample: Fill a 25mL volumetric flask with 25mL of waste sample.
Blank Preparation: Fill a 25mL volumetric flask with 25mL of distilled water.
3 different reagent (Ammonia Nitrogen Reagent) will be used:
- Mineral Mtabilizer
-Polyvinyl Alcohol
-Nessler Reagent
Add three drops of Mineral Stabilizer to volumetric flask. Stopper and
invert several times to mix.
Add three drops of Polyvinyl Alcohol to each volumetric flask. Stopper
and invert several times to mix.
Pipette 1.0mL of Nessler Reagent into each volumetric flask. Stopper and
invert several times to mix.

Phosphorus is also essential to the growth of
algae and other biological organisms.
The organically bound phosphorus is an
important constituent of industrial wastewater and
sludge.
Phosphorus.
Sulfate is reduced biologically under
anaerobic conditions to sulfide, which in
turn can combine with hydrogen to form hydrogen
sulfide (H2
S).
The accumulated H2
S can then be oxidized
biologically to sulfuric acid, which is
corrosive to steel pipes and equipment.
Sulfur.

Major clases ;
a) Nitrates (NO3) -
b)Cyanides (CN)
c)Heavy metals constituents;
– arsenics (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd),
chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se),
and silver (Ag)
- effects – cause poisons ( As and Cr 6+)
- chronic disease (Pb, Cd, and Hg)
There are over 120 toxic organic compounds listed
on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Priority
Pollutant List.
Eg; pesticide, insecticides and solvents.
Effects may be acute @chronic.
TOXIC
INORGANIC
SUBSTANCE
S
Continue….
TOXIC
ORGANIC
SUBSTANCE
S

The analysis used to measure aggregate organic material may be
divided into 2;
To measure gross conc. of organic substance greater than 1.0 mg/L
To measure trace conc. in the range of 10-12 to 100 mg/L
Laboratory methods commonly used today to measure gross amounts of
organic matter (typically greater than 1mg/L) in wastewater include;
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
Total organic carbon (TOD)
Complementing of these laboratory tests is the theoretical oxygen demand
(ThOD), which is determined from the chemical formula of the organic
matter.
Continue….
MEASUREMENT OF
ORGANIC SUBSTANCES

The most widely used parameter of organic pollution
5-day BOD – involved the measurement of the dissolved oxygen used by
microorganisms in the biochemical oxidation of organic
matter.
BOD test results are used to;
Determine the appropriate quantity of oxygen that will be required to
biologically stabilize the organic matter present.
Measure the efficiency of some treatment process
Determine the size of waste treatment facilities.
Determine compliance with wastewater discharge permits.
BOD at 20o
C for 5 days is used as standard test (measure after 5 days in
incubation at 20o
C).
Use bacteria to oxidize biodegradable organic in wastewater sample after
incubation.
BOD can be calculates by measuring DO before & after incubation.
Continue….
Biochemical Oxygen
Demand(BOD)

BOD can be calculated by;
 when the dilution water is not seeded;
BOD (mg/L) = D1 – D2
P
 when the dilution water is seeded;
BOD (mg/L) = (D1-D2)- (B1 – B2) f
P
where,
D1 = dissolved oxygen of diluted sample after preparation (mg/L)
D2 =dissolved oxygen of diluted sample after 5days @ 20oC(mg/L)
P = volumetric fraction of sample used to total volume
B1 = dissolved oxygen of seed control before incubation (mg/L)
B2 = dissolved oxygen of seed control after incubation (mg/L)
f = ratio of sample to seed in control
Seeded is done if the WW is known to contain insufficient numb of
microorganism for degradation of WW.
Use suitable bacteria culture with the WW system
CONTROL is used to eliminate effects by the presence of impurities in dilution
water to the BOD value (need to aerated atleast 2hr)
Continue….
f = % seed in D1
% seed in B1

The limitations of the BOD5 test are as
follows:
 A high concentration of active, acclimated
seed bacteria is required.
 Pretreatment is needed when dealing with toxic
wastes, and the effects of nitrifying organisms must be
reduced.
 Only the biodegradable organics are
measured.
 The test does not have stoichiometric
validity after the soluble organic matter present in
solution has been used.
 An arbitrary, long period of time is required
to obtain results.

Is assumed to obey first-order kinetics.
Continue….
EACTION KINETICS OF BOD….
t
t
kL
dt
dL
−= ktLt −=ln
ktkt
e
L
L −−
== 10
303.2
)_(
)10(
ebasek
baseK =
Where,
Lt = amount of 1st
order BOD in WW at time t (mg/L)
k = reaction rate constant
L @ BODL = total @ ultimate carbonaceous BOD (mg/L)
integration
Typical value of k for untreated wastewater (base e) is about 0.23d-1
.
1st
order reaction rate constant will be expressed in log (base 10) units. The
relationship between k (base e) and K (base 10)is as follows;

Continue….
EACTION KINETICS OF BOD….
)1( kt
tt eLLLY −
−=−=
)1( 5
55
k
eLLLY −
−=−=
)( kt
t eLL −
=
Amount BOD at time t,
k at temperature (T) other than 20o
C,
Amount BOD exerted after
time t,
Amount BOD exerted after 5 days (BOD5),
20
20
−
= T
T kk θ
(T = 20 to 30o
C)
135.1
056.1
=
=
θ
θ
(T = 4 to 20o
C)

To measure degree of oxidation/ degradation of organics using strong
chemical agent (dichromate in an acid solution).
measure the organic matter in industrial wastewater that contains compounds that
are toxic to biological life.
It oxidizes the reduced compounds in wastewater through a reaction with a mixture
of chromic and sulfuric acid at high temperatures.
Measure difference of amount of K2Cr2O7 before and after heating using ferrous
ammonium sulfate (FAS) as a reducing agent.
Higher than BOD (because more compounds can be chemically oxidized than
can be biologically oxidized)
Ratio BOD/COD varies (usually 1.5: 2 for industrial wastewater containing
biodegradable material (e.g. Food Industry).
For wastewaters with ratios higher than 3, it is assumed that some oxidizable
material in the sample is not biodegradable.
Nonbiodegradable material sometimes is called refractory and found mainly
in wastewater from chemical and pulp & paper industries.
Chemical Oxygen
Demand(COD)
OHCOCrHCrOHC cba 22
32
72 0)( ++⇒++ ++−
(+6) (+3)

TOTAL COD
COD B COD NB
COD RB COD SB COD PNB COD SNB
COMPLEX VFA COLOIDAL PARTICULATE
B – biodegradable; NB – nonbiodegradable; RB – readly biodegradable;
SB – slowly biodegradable; PNB – nonbiodegradable (particulate);
SNB – nonbiodegradable (soluble) VFA – Volatile Fatty Acids
COD Fractionation

CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD) TEST
(BIO LAB)
 Use COD reactor (DRB 200). Preheat to 150ºC (2 hours).
Blank Preparation: Use a clean volumetric pipet to add 2.00 mL of distilled
water to the vial that contain COD reagent.
 Sample Preparation: Use a clean volumetric pipet to add 2.00mL of sample
to the vial.
DRB 2800 Spectrophotometer
Reading Method: Select the 435 HR.
Result are in mg/L COD will be displayed.

Differences Between
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
and Chemical Oxygen
Demand(COD)BOD COD
Measures biodegradable
organics
Measures biodegradable
and non biodegradable
organics
Uses oxidizing
microorganism
Uses a strong chemical
agent
Affected by toxic substance Not affected
Affected by temperature Not affected
5 days incubation 2 hrs
Accuracy + 10% Accuracy + 2%

To determine total organic carbon in an aqueous sample.
The test methods for TOC utilize heat & oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, chemical
oxidants, or some combination of these methods to convert organic carbon to
carbon dioxide which is measured with an infrared analyzer or by other means.
TOC can be used as a measure of its pollution characteristics and in some cases, it
has been possible to relate TOC to BOD and COD values.
Total Organic Carbon(TOC)
Determined based on ‘chemical formula’ of specific organic substances.
Consider ‘biochemical & nitrogenous oxygen’ demand
Theoretical Oxygen Demand
(ThOD)
ERT 417/4 WASTE TREATMENT IN BIOPROCESS INDUSTRY
SEM 1 (2010/2011)

Interrelationships of Constituents
BOD/COD > 0.5 - wastewater easily treated by
biological processes.
0.3 < BOD/COD < 0.5 - biological treatment
possible; probable presence of inhibitors; need for
biomass acclimatization
BOD/COD < 0.3 – biological treatment difficult
without pre-treatment

ICROBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Water for drinking & cooking purposes must be made
FREE from disease-producing organisms
(pathogens)
DISEASE
-PRODUCING
ORGANISMS
(pathogens)
Disease-producing organisms (pathogens) – viruses,
bacteria, protozoa and helminths (worms).
Specific disease-producing organism presence in water
are not easily identify.
The techniques for comprehensive bacteriological
examination are COMPLEX and TIME
CONSUMING.
Eg ; Total Coliform Test
Some organism can cause disease in people
oroginate with the fecal discharge of infected individuals
@ animals.

RADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Cause by;
The development and use of atomic energy as a power source
The mining of radioactive materials
Naturally occur
It is necessary to establish limiting concentrations for the
intake into the body.
The effect of human exposure to radiation @ radioactive
materials are HARMFUL and any unnecessary exposure
should be avoided.
The amount of radiation to which the individual is normally
exposed varies with the amount of background radioactivity.
Water with high radioactivity is not normal

Typical range of BOD and S.S. load
for industrial and municipal wastewater *
Origin of waste
Biochemical oxygen
demand
“BOD” (kg/ton
product)
Total Suspended
solids
“TSS” (kg/ton
product)
Domestic sewage
0.025 (kg/day/person) 0.022
(kg/day/person)
Dairy industry 5.3 2.2
Yeast industry 125 18.7
Starch & glucose industry 13.4 9.7
Fruits & vegetable canning
industry
12.5 4.3
Textile industry 30 - 314 55 - 196
Pulp & paper industry 4 - 130 11.5 - 26
Beverage industry 2.5 - 220 1.3 - 257
* Rapid assessment for
industrial pollution
Tannery industry
48 - 86 85 - 155

Important contaminants of concern in
industrial wastewater treatment
Suspended solids Suspended solids can lead to the development of
sludge deposits and anaerobic conditions when
untreated wastewater is discharged in the aquatic
environment.
Nutrients Both nitrogen and phosphate, along with carbon,
are essential nutrients for growth. When
discharged to the aquatic environment, these
nutrients can lead to the growth of undesirable
aquatic life. When discharged in excessive
amounts on land, they can also lead to the
pollution of groundwater.
Priority pollutants Organic and inorganic compounds selected on the
basis of their known or suspected carcinogenicity,
mutagenicity, teratogenicity, or high acute toxicity.
Many of these compounds are found in
wastewater.

Refractory organics These organics tend to resist conventional
methods of wastewater treatment. Typical
examples include surfactants, phenols, and
agricultural pesticides.
Heavy metals Heavy metals are usually discharged to
wastewater from commercial and industrial
activities and have to be removed if the
wastewater is to be reused.
Dissolved inorganics Inorganic constituents such as calcium,
sodium, and sulfate are added to the original
domestic water supply as a result of water use
and may have to be removed if the wastewater
is to be reused.

Typical range of concentration values for industrial and
municipal wastewater **
Origin of waste pH T.S.S,
mg/l
BOD,
mg/l
COD,
mg/l
TDS,
mg/l
O&G,
mg/l
a. Domestic Sewage 7 220 250 500 500 -
a. Dairy Industry 4 12150 14000 21100 19000 320
a. Yeast Industry 5.3 540 2100 3400 3500 9
a. Fruits & Vegetable
Canning
5.5 2200 800 1400 1270 94
a. Textile Industry 6.5 1800 840 1500 17000 155
a. Pulp & Paper Industry 8 1640 360 2300 1980 -
a. Beverage Industry 9 760 620 1150 1290 -
a. Tannery Industry 10 2600 2370 4950 8500 115
** Previous analysis
conducting in several
companies.
Fish Canning
11 565 890 2350 8218 290

Example of WWTP
Sector 1 – screen,
grit chamber ,
pumping
Sector 2 – primary
sedimentation
Sector 3 – aeration
tanks
Sector 4 – secondary
sedimentation
Sector 5 – sludge
thickening
Sector 6 – sludge
anaerobic digestion
Sector 7 – sludge
dewatering

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF GROUNDWATER & SURFACE WATER
Table 1.0 General characteristics of groundwater and surface water
GROUND SURFACE
Constant composition
High mineralization
Little Turbidity
Low @ no color
Bacteriologically safe
No dissolved oxygen
High hardness
H2S, Fe, Mn
Varying composition
Low mineralization
High Turbidity
Color
Microorganisms Present
Dissolved oxygen
Low hardness
Tastes and odors
Possible chemical toxicity
Adapted from Davis and Cornwell, 2008

GROUNDWATER
Water underneath the ground.
 Comes from rain water or water from surface water like
lakes or streams that soaks into the soil.
The water is stored underground in the tiny spaces
between rocks and soil grains and can move around within
the soil.
Groundwater contamination occurs when the water
comes into contact with contaminants.
SURFACE WATER
Usually rainwater that
collects in surface water
bodies, like oceans, lakes, or
streams.
Another source -
groundwater that comes out
of the ground from springs.
Become polluted when
contaminants come into
direct contact and either
dissolve or physically mix
with the water.

CHARACTERISTICS
OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
 Industrial process generate a wide variety of wastewater pollutant.
 The characteristics and level of pollutants very significantly from industry to industry
Table 1.1 Example of industrial wastewater concentration for BOD5
and suspended solids (Davis and Cornwell,2008)
Industry BOD5,mg/L Suspended
Solid, mg/L
Ammunition
Fermentation
Slaughterhouse
(cattle)
Pulp and paper
(kraft)
Tannery
50-300
4,500
400-2,500
100-350
700-7,000
70-1,700
10,000
400-1,000
75-300
4,000-20,000

Toxicity is the degree to which a substance is
able to damage an exposed organism.
Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole
organism, such as ;
•Animal
•Bacterium
•Plant

PHYSICAL
-include things not usually thought of under the heading of "toxic" by
many people
-eg. direct blows, concussion, sound and vibration, heat and cold etc
CHEMICAL
-include inorganic substances such as lead, mercury, asbestos,
hydrofluoric acid, and chlorine gas
-also organic compounds such as methyl alcohol, most medications,
and poisons from living things.
BIOLOGICAL
-include those bacteria and viruses that are able to induce disease in
living organisms.
-can be complicated to measure because the "threshold dose" may be a
single organism.
-Theoretically one virus, bacterium or worm can reproduce to cause a
serious infection.
TYPES OF TOXICITY

TOXICITY TEST
Toxicity test are used to;
Assess the suitability of environmental conditions for aquatic life
Establish acceptable receiving water concentrations for conventional
parameter such as DO, pH, temp. or turbidity.
Study the effects of water quality parameters on wastewater toxicity.
Determine the effectiveness of wastewater-treatment method.
Assess the degree of wastewater treatment needed to meet water
pollution control requirement.
Determines compliance with federal & state water quality standard
and water quality criteria.
Establish permissible effluent discharge rate

NEED FOR INDUSTRIAL
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS
Such treatment should comply with the terms of the legislation defining
the characteristics of the effluent discharging in water streams.
The concept of planning and development should be based on the criteria to
protect land, water resources, aquatic life in streams and rivers and marine life from
pollution and to safeguard public health as a high priority.
The environmental inspection on wastewater treatment plants aims to support
and strengthen the Protection of both the environment and the public
health, since the pollution generated from the industrial establishments has a negative
impact not only on the environment, but also on the health of the individuals.
Therefore, it is noted that most of the procedures that could be implemented by
industrial establishments to reduce the negative environmental impacts, will also lead to
reducing the effects that present a threat to the health of workers within the plants and
the public living in regions affected by the various emissions from the plants.
In this respect, the effectiveness of the inspection on industrial wastewater
treatment plants will lead to the protection of the environment and the protection
of workers and public health.

Characteristics of industrial waste