Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Beginners Guide To Wastewater Treatment For Paper Industry
Beginners Guide To Wastewater Treatment For Paper Industry
The pulp and paper are water intensive industry. The production of paper involves wood, rags, old
paper, hemp, wheat and rice stalks, bamboo, esparto grass, bagasse, etc. as the raw material. The
quantity of wastewater and its quality depends on the grade and quality of the paper handled, the
degree and type of treatment given to it.
Let’s take a look at the characteristics and process of wastewater treatment in pulp and paper
industry –
Characteristics of Wastewater
The waste water in pulp and paper industry is usually alkaline in nature, and has high suspended
solids, high total solids, high COD and relatively low BOD. The approximate analysis of waste water
from a typical pulp and paper industry is the following:
For producing a fine pulp for print paper, mainly two chemical procedures are used.
1. Kraft Process
2. Sulphite Process
The Kraft Process is an alkaline process. The disadvantage of the process is the odour which comes
from thiols and sulfides. The pulp also has to be bleached more when compared to the sulphite
process. The pH in the Kraft process stands between 8 and 9. BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)
and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) depend on the kind of wood. Normally the BODs range
between 1000 – 2000 ppm, and CODs between 4000 – 7000 ppm.
The Sulphite Process is an acidic process. The effect is not the same as the alkaline process. This
procedure is more sensitive and environment-friendly. The boon of this process is more process
variation and producing conditions without unwanted thiol and sulfite production.
Semi-chemical Process
In the pulp industry, the wastewater that has to be treated generally are:
1. Bleaching Solutions
2. Washing and Emptying
3. Evaporation Condensates
The paper is created from new or recycled pulp. Many chemicals such as kaolin, CaCO3, talc and/or
TiO2 are added to the pulp to bring the white colour in the paper. Chemicals like organic fillers, i.e
starch, latex, colours, aluminium sulfate etc. are used to make paper of different properties and
kinds.
Paper can again be discoloured, which can be done in two different process.
The wastewater of this industry also contains particles like plastics, metal parts (paper clips, etc.) and
other wastes that have to be removed.
The main units of the wastewater plant for paper industry, are the aeration basin and the
sedimentation basin. The effluent treated with culture of microorganism (activated sludge) is
present in high concentration, in the aeration basin. Activated sludge plant at kraft pulp mill have
retention time of about 15-48 hr. The solid concentration in the activated sludge systems is usually
2000-6000 mg/L. The normal loads are between 0.05 and 0.1 kg BOD/kg sludge, for extended
aeration. The temperature required for operating these processes is about 35-37°C. The nutrients
concentration in relation to the organic matter is important in the effluent treatment.
The normal efficiencies figures are between 85 and 98% for BOD removal and 60-85% for COD
removal. The COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) of treated effluent represents how effective a
treatment technology is in its ability, to remove the total organic material present in the influent.
The characteristics of the effluents are dependent on the production process and the raw materials.
The plants that apply the best available technologies have their emissions controlled, and reflect
minimum environmental impact on the wastewater discharge.
With Rochem India, you are at ease of having superior quality wastewater equipment. We’ve served
many industries and catered to their specific needs of water treatment equipment. Not only that, we
proactively recommend and suggest equipment that can work optimally for you. Our wastewater
treatment is best suited for all your needs and necessities.
We offer excellent water treatment and recycling technology that adapts to the changing needs of
our customers. Get in touch with us through our mail at sales@rochemindia.net, or leave a message
on our social media accounts - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube or call us on +91 (22)
6704 9000 for any enquiries and further information.