Application of membrane and ozonation technologies to remove color from agro-industry effluents

The results of membrane and ozonation experiments carried out on various ag ro-industry effluents including fermentation (baker's yeast), corrugated bo ard, opium alkaloid and textile dying industries are presented. The experim ents were performed using lab-scale membrane and ozonation reactors. Color removals were in the range of 80 to 99% for the membrane treatment studies. Ozonation experiments have shown that color removals in the range of 83 to 98% are possible for the investigated wastewaters. Final color levels were lower than 100 Pt-Co unit, which is quite acceptable aesthetically. The re lative unit treatment costs of ozonation were about two times higher than m embrane systems especially for very strong colored effluents including ferm entation and opium alkaloid industries. The study has demonstrated that bot h membrane and ozonation technologies are viable options for color removal.