TITLE:
Optimal Evaluation of Coag-Flocculation Factors for Alum-Brewery Effluent System by Response Surface Methodology
AUTHORS:
M.C. Menkiti, M.C. Aneke, E.B. Ogbuene, O.D. Onukwuli, E.O. Ekumankama
KEYWORDS:
Coag-flocculation, Brewery effluent, Alum, Response surface methodology, Central composite design
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.11 No.5,
May
18,
2012
ABSTRACT: This work investigates coag-flocculation optimization treatment of alum-brewery effluent system via response surface methodology (RSM). To minimize suspended and dissolved particles (SDP), experiments were carried out using nephelometric jar test and 23-factorial design with three star-points, six-center-points and two replications. A central composite design, which is the standard design of RSM, was used to evaluate the effects and interactions of three major factors (coagulation pH, coagulant dosage, settling time) on the treatment efficiency. Multivariable quadratic model developed for the response studied indicates the optimum conditions to be 9, 500mg/l and 20minutes for coagulation pH, coagulant dosage and settling time, respectively. At optimum, the SDP was reduced from 10831.490mg/l to 801.451mg/l, representing 92.601% removal efficiency. RSM has demonstrated to be appropriate approach for the optimization of the coag-flocculation process by statistical evaluation.