Application of response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize coagulation treatment of cassava starch wastewater
- Received Date: 02/02/2010
- Accepted Date: 08/01/2010
Abstract: The removal efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity using a new polymer flocculent polymeric aluminum zinc chloride (PAZC) were compared with those obtained using polyaluminum chloride (PAC) as a conventional coagulant. Central composite design (CCD) and response surface method (RSM) were applied to optimize the operating variables viz. pH and coagulant dosage. Quadratic models developed for the two responses (COD and turbidity) studied and the contour plot overlaying critical response contours (65% COD removal, 90% turbidity removal and 90% SS removal) indicated the optimum conditions to be PAZC dosage of 6.5 mg/L at pH 7.7 and PAC dosage of 19.2 mg/L at pH 7.8. The experimental data and model predictions agreed well.