TREATMENT OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATERS 437

Depending upon the quantum, concentration, toxicity and presence of non

biodegradable organics in an industrial wastewater, its treatment may
consist of any one or more of the following processes
(1) Equalisation;
(2) Neutralisation;
(3) Physical treatment
(4) Chemical treatment; and
5) Biological treatment.
These processes are briefly discussed below
11.2.1. Equalisation. Equalisation consists of holding the waste-water for
some pre-determined time in a continuously mixed basin, to produce a
uniform wastewater. Such an arrangement will, of course be necessary when
the wastewater produced by the industry varies in characteristics and
quantity over the entire day.
11.2.2. Neutralisation. Neutralisation means neutralising the excessive
acidity or alkalinity of the particular wastewater, by adding alkali or acid,
respectively, to the wastewater. This may be achieved either in the
equalisation tank, where possible, or a separate neutralisation tank
may be used.
11.2.3. Physical Treatment. Physical treatment consists of separating the
suspended inorganic matter by physical processes, like sedimentation and
floatation.
) Sedimentation. Sedimentation as we know, is
employed to separate
the heavier settleable solids, and hence sedimentation tank
may be provided
only when the wastewater contains a high percentage of such heavyinorganic
solids.
(i) Floatation. Floatation consists of creation of fine air bubbles in the
waste tank,by introduction of air into the tank from the bottom. The rising air
bubbles, attach themselves to the fine suspended particles, increasing their
buoyancy, and finally lifting them to liquid surface for consequent removal by
skimming.
11.2.4. Chemical Treatment. Chemical treatment is
often before
the biological treatment, though sometimes, it may not benecessary
required at all.
Sometimes, it may however, serve as the final stage of treatment*
Since chemical treatment is a
costly and expensive exercise, care should be
taken to see, if it could be avoided
The chemical treatment is used to
altogether, to achieve our required goals.
recover the dissolved
wastewater, and may consists of one or more oforganic
from the matter
the following
processes
(i) reverse osmosis or hyper filtration;
(i)electrodialysis;
*Chemical treatment was largely used in
England during 1870 to 1930, when it was
replaced by the advent of biological treatment
methods. Since 1970 or so, it has again
come up isolated uses on specific industrial wastewaters, and is
for
developed for separation of impurities as increasingly being
byproducts.