Characteristics of

Industrial Wastewater
Student should be able to;

EXPLAIN, INTERPRET, and

CALCULATE the physical, chemical
and biological properties of waste
material and DESCRIBE its
toxicology. REWRITE the common
wastewater constituents and
contaminants.
 4 categories to describe water quality;
Physical
 Related to the quality of water for domestic use.
 Associated with the appearance of water
 Eg. Color, turbidity, temperature, taste and odor.
Chemical
 Sometimes evidenced by their observed reactions (comparative performance of
hard & soft waters in laundering)
 Most often, differences are not visible.
Microbiology
 Very important in their relation to public health
 Significant in modifying the physical and chemical characteristic of water
Radiological
 Considered in areas where there is a possibility that the water may have come in
contact with radioactive substances
(Davis and Cornwell,2008)
 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The most important characteristic of wastewater
Composed of floating matter, settleable matter,
colloidal matter and matter in solution.
Solids found in wastewater;
Total solids (TS)
SOLIDS Mass remain after evaporation at 103-105oC
Total Suspended Solid (TSS)
Mass remain on whatman filter GF/C after drying at
103-105oC
Volatile Suspended Solid (VSS)
Solids removed by Solids that can be volatilized and burned off when
settling and separated TSS are ignited at 500+50oC. (applied most
from wash water are commonly to wastewater sludge to measure their
called sludge, which biological stability)
may then be pumped Total dissolved solids (TDS)
to drying beds or
Those solids that pass through the filter and are then
filtered for extraction
of additional water
evaporated and dried at specified temp.
(dewatering). Settleable Solids
Solid settle at the bottom of an “Inhoff Cone” after
60mins

(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)

Continue….

Measure of the light –transmitting properties of the

water due to presence of suspended material such as
clay, organic material, plankton & other particulate
material.
Measured based on comparison of the intensity of
light scattered by reference suspension under the same
TURBIDITY
condition.
Unit = Turbidity Unit (TU)@
Nephlometric Turbidity Unit (NTU)
Clay @ other suspended particle – not adversely
affect health but water containing such particles may
require treatment.
Turbidity excess of 5 TU easily detectable in a glass
of water.

(Davis and Cornwell,2008)

Continue….

Refer to degree of absorption of light energy in

visible spectrum (400-700nm)
Causes by ;
• dissolved organic material from decaying vegetation
& certain inorganic matter.
COLOR • excessive blooms of algae or growth of aquatic
microorganisms.
But its presence is aesthetically objectionable &
needs
appropriate treatment.

Activated sludge and trickling filters can remove a

certain percentage of some types of colored matter.

Sometimes color matters needs chemical oxidation

procedures for removal.

(Davis and Cornwell,2008)

Continue….

Cause by foreign matter (organic

compound, inorganic salts @ dissolved gases.
Odors are usually caused by gases produced
by the decomposition of organic matter or by
TASTE substances added to the wastewater.
& Industrial wastewater may contain either
ODOR odorous compounds or compounds that
produce odor during the process of wastewater
treatment.
Comes from domestic, agricultural @
natural sources.
At point of use, drinking water should be free
from any objectionable taste @ odor.

(Davis and Cornwell,2008)

Continue….

Very important parameter - its effect on chemical

reactions and reaction rates, aquatic life, and the
suitability of the water for beneficial uses.
The increase in the rate of biochemical reactions that
accompanies an increase in temperature, combined with
the decrease in the quantity of oxygen present in
surface waters, can often cause serious depletions in
dissolved oxygen concentration in the summer months.
TEMP. Abnormally high temperatures can foster the growth
of undesirable water plants and wastewater fungus
Most desirable drinking waters are consistently cool
& do not have fluctuations of more than a few degrees.
Oxygen is less soluble in warm water than in cold
water
Industrial establishments that use surface water for
cooling-water purposes are particularly concerned
with the temperature of the intake water.
Groundwater & surface water usually meet these
criteria.

(Davis and Cornwell,2008)

Continue….

The hydrogen-ion concentration is an important

quality parameter of wastewater.
The concentration range suitable for the existence of
pH most biological life is quite narrow and critical.
Wastewater with an adverse concentration of
hydrogen ion is difficult to treat by biological means,
and if the concentration is not altered before discharge,
the wastewater effluent may alter the concentration
in the natural waters.

(Davis and Cornwell,2008)

 Example 1; Analysis of Solids Data….
Determine the concentration of total solids(TS), total dissolved solids (TDS),
total suspended solids (TSS), and volatile suspended solids (VSS) in 50mL of
wastewater based on data given;

Mass of dry dish = 53.5433 g

Mass of dry dish + residue after drying at 105 oC = 53.5794 g
Mass of dry dish + residue after ignition at 550 oC = 53.5625 g

Mass of Whatman GF/C filter = 1.5433 g

Mass of Whatman GF/C filter + residue after drying at 105 oC = 1.5554 g
Mass of Whatman GF/C filter + residue after ignition at 550 oC = 1.5476 g

Ans : Total solids(TS) = 722 mg/L

Total dissolved solids (TDS) = 480 mg/L
Total suspended solids (TSS) = 242 mg/L
Volatile suspended solids (VSS) = 156 mg/L
 CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Most of water contain.
Amount presence causes by ;
-Leaching of marine sedimentary deposits
-Pollution from sea water @ brine @ industrial
CHLORIDE @ domestic waste.
Chloride conc. > 250 mg/L – noticeable taste
Domestic water should contain < 100 mg/L
chloride.

Some areas – water source contain natural fluoride.

Excessive fluoride in drinking water – produce
fluorosis (mottling) of teeth.
Mottled – black sports @ streaks and may become
FLUORIDE brittle when exposed to large amounts of fluoride.
Acceptable level for fluoride conc. between 0.8 – 1.3
mg/L
(Davis and Cornwell, 2008)
Nitrogen
Because nitrogen is an essential building block in
the synthesis of protein, nitrogen data will be
required to evaluate the treatability of wastewater
by biological processes.
Insufficient nitrogen can necessitate the addition of
nitrogen to make the wastewater treatable.
Where control of alga growth in the receiving
water is necessary to protect beneficial uses, removal
or reduction of nitrogen in wastewaters prior to
discharge may be desirable.
The total nitrogen, as a commonly used
parameter, consists of many numerous compounds
such as; NH3, NH4-N, NO3-N, NO2-N, urea, organic-
N (amines, amino acids, ...etc).
Ammonia-Nitrogen Test (Bio Laboratory)
Using DR2800 reactor
Prepare Sample: Fill a 25mL volumetric flask with 25mL of waste sample.
Blank Preparation: Fill a 25mL volumetric flask with 25mL of distilled
water.

3 different reagent (Ammonia Nitrogen Reagent) will be used:

- Mineral Mtabilizer
-Polyvinyl Alcohol
-Nessler Reagent

Add three drops of Mineral Stabilizer to volumetric flask. Stopper and

invert several times to mix.
Add three drops of Polyvinyl Alcohol to each volumetric flask. Stopper
and invert several times to mix.
Pipette 1.0mL of Nessler Reagent into each volumetric flask. Stopper and
invert several times to mix.
Phosphorus.
Phosphorus is also essential to the growth of
algae and other biological organisms.
The organically bound phosphorus is an
important constituent of industrial wastewater and
sludge.

Sulfur.
Sulfate is reduced biologically under
anaerobic conditions to sulfide, which in turn
can combine with hydrogen to form hydrogen
sulfide (H2S).
The accumulated H2S can then be oxidized
biologically to sulfuric acid, which is corrosive
to steel pipes and equipment.
Continue….

Major classes ;
a) Nitrates (NO3) -
b)Cyanides (CN)
c)Heavy metals constituents;
TOXIC
– arsenics (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd),
INORGANIC
SUBSTANCES
chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), selenium
(Se), and silver (Ag)
- effects – cause poisons ( As and Cr 6+)
- chronic disease (Pb, Cd, and Hg)
(Davis and Cornwell, 2008)

There are over 120 toxic organic compounds listed

TOXIC on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Priority
ORGANIC Pollutant List.
SUBSTANCES Eg; pesticide, insecticides and solvents.
Effects may be acute @chronic.
(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)
Continue….

MEASUREMENT OF ORGANIC
SUBSTANCES
The analysis used to measure aggregate organic material may be divided
into 2;
To measure gross conc. of organic substance greater than 1.0 mg/L
To measure trace conc. in the range of 10-12 to 100 mg/L

Laboratory methods commonly used today to measure gross amounts of

organic matter (typically greater than 1mg/L) in wastewater include;
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
Total organic carbon (TOD)

Complementing of these laboratory tests is the theoretical oxygen demand

(ThOD), which is determined from the chemical formula of the organic matter.
(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)
Continue….
Biochemical Oxygen Demand(BOD)
The most widely used parameter of organic pollution

5-day BOD – involved the measurement of the dissolved oxygen used by

microorganisms in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter.

BOD test results are used to;

Determine the appropriate quantity of oxygen that will be required to
biologically stabilize the organic matter present.
Measure the efficiency of some treatment process
Determine the size of waste treatment facilities.
Determine compliance with wastewater discharge permits.

BOD at 20oC for 5 days is used as standard test (measure after 5 days in
incubation at 20oC).

Use bacteria to oxidize biodegradable organic in wastewater sample after

incubation.

BOD can be calculates by measuring DO before & after incubation.

(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)

Continue….

BOD can be calculated by;

 when the dilution water is not seeded;

BOD (mg/L) = D1 – D2
P
 when the dilution water is seeded;

BOD (mg/L) = (D1-D2)- (B1 – B2) f f = % seed in D1

P % seed in B1
where,
D1 = dissolved oxygen of diluted sample after preparation (mg/L)
D2 =dissolved oxygen of diluted sample after 5days @ 20oC(mg/L)
P = volumetric fraction of sample used to total volume
B1 = dissolved oxygen of seed control before incubation (mg/L)
B2 = dissolved oxygen of seed control after incubation (mg/L)
f = ratio of sample to seed in control
Seeded is done if the WW is known to contain insufficient numb of
microorganism for degradation of WW.
Use suitable bacteria culture with the WW system
CONTROL is used to eliminate effects by the presence of impurities in dilution
water to the BOD value (need to aerated atleast 2hr)
(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)
The limitations of the BOD5 test are as
follows:

 A high concentration of active, acclimated seed

bacteria is required.
 Pretreatment is needed when dealing with toxic
wastes, and the effects of nitrifying organisms must
be reduced.
 Only the biodegradable organics are measured.
 The test does not have stoichiometric validity
after the soluble organic matter present in solution
has been used.
 An arbitrary, long period of time is required to
obtain results.
Continue….

REACTION KINETICS OF BOD….

Is assumed to obey first-order kinetics.

dLt
  kLt integration ln Lt   kt
dt
Lt k  kt
Where,  e  10
Lt = amount of 1st order BOD in WW at time t (mg/L) L
k = reaction rate constant
L @ BODL = total @ ultimate carbonaceous BOD (mg/L)
Typical value of k for untreated wastewater (base e) is about 0.23d -1.
1st order reaction rate constant will be expressed in log (base 10) units. The
relationship between k (base e) and K (base 10)is as follows;

k (base _ e)
K (base10) 
2.303
(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)
Continue….

REACTION KINETICS OF BOD….

k at temperature (T) other than 20oC,

kT  k 20 T  20
  1.056 (T = 20 to 30oC)

Amount BOD at time t,   1.135 (T = 4 to 20oC)

Lt  L(e  kt )
Amount BOD exerted after time
t,
 kt
Yt  L  Lt  L(1  e )
Amount BOD exerted after 5 days (BOD5),
5 k
Y5  L  L5  L(1  e )
(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)
 Example 2; Calculation of BOD (a)

The following information is available for a seeded 5-day BOD test conducted
on a wastewater sample. 15mL of the waste sample was added directly into 300mL
incubation bottle. The initial DO of the diluted sample was 8.8mg/L and the final
DO after 5 days was 1.9mg/L . The corresponding initial and final DO of the
seeded dilution water was 9.1 and 7.9 respectively. What is the 5-day BOD
(BOD5) of the wastewater sample?

Ans : 115.2 mg/L

 Example 3; Calculation of BOD (b)
Determine the 1-day BOD and ultimate first-stage BOD for a wastewater
whose
5-day 20oC BOD is 200 mg/L. The reaction constant k (base e)=0.23 d-1.
What
would have been the 5-day BOD if the test had been conducted at 25 oC?
Ans : Lt = 293 mg/L,
BOD1=60.1 mg/L
Example 4; Calculation of BOD BOD(c)5=224 mg/L
If BOD3 for wastewater sample is 75 mg/L and the BOD decay rate constant
is k=0.345 day-1, determine the ultimate BOD value.

Ans : L = 116 mg/L,

 Example 5; Calculation of BOD (d)
A stream of wastewater is discharged into a river at 28 oC. What is the fraction of
Maximum oxygen usage in 4 days if the BOD rate constant, k which is determined
under standard conditions is 0.115 day-1 (assume 0 = 1.135)

Ans : K28= 0.317 day-1,

BOD4/L=0.72
 Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD)
To measure degree of oxidation/ degradation of organics using strong
chemical agent (dichromate in an acid solution).
measure the organic matter in industrial wastewater that contains compounds that
are toxic to biological life.
It oxidizes the reduced compounds in wastewater through a reaction with a
mixture of chromic and sulfuric acid at high temperatures.

(C a H b Oc )  Cr2 0 7 2   H   Cr 3  CO2  H 2 O
(+6) (+3)

Measure difference of amount of K2Cr2O7 before and after heating using ferrous
ammonium sulfate (FAS) as a reducing agent.
Higher than BOD (because more compounds can be chemically oxidized than
can be biologically oxidized)
Ratio BOD/COD varies (usually 1.5: 2 for industrial wastewater containing
biodegradable material (e.g. Food Industry).
For wastewaters with ratios higher than 3, it is assumed that some oxidizable
material in the sample is not biodegradable.
Nonbiodegradable material sometimes is called refractory and found mainly in
wastewater from chemical and pulp & paper industries.

(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)

CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD) TEST
(BIO LAB)

 Use COD reactor (DRB 200). Preheat to 150ºC (2 hours).

Blank Preparation: Use a clean volumetric pipet to add 2.00 mL of distilled water to the
vial that contain COD reagent.
 Sample Preparation: Use a clean volumetric pipet to add 2.00mL of sample to the vial.

DRB 2800 Spectrophotometer

Reading Method: Select the 435 HR.
Result are in mg/L COD will be displayed.
 Differences Between Biochemical
Oxygen Demand and Chemical
Oxygen Demand(COD)
BOD COD
Measures biodegradable organics Measures biodegradable and non
biodegradable organics

Uses oxidizing microorganism Uses a strong chemical agent

Affected by toxic substance Not affected

Affected by temperature Not affected
5 days incubation 2 hrs
Accuracy + 10% Accuracy + 2%

(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)

 Total Organic Carbon(TOC)
To determine total organic carbon in an aqueous sample.
The test methods for TOC utilize heat & oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, chemical
oxidants, or some combination of these methods to convert organic carbon to
carbon dioxide which is measured with an infrared analyzer or by other means.
TOC can be used as a measure of its pollution characteristics and in some cases,
it has been possible to relate TOC to BOD and COD values.

Theoretical Oxygen Demand

(ThOD)
Determined based on ‘chemical formula’ of specific organic substances.
Consider ‘biochemical & nitrogenous oxygen’ demand

(Metcalf and Eddy, 2003)

 Example 6; Determination of
BOD/COD,
BOD/TOC, and TOC/COD Ratios
Determine the theoretical BOD/COD, BOD/TOC, and TOC/COD ratios for
The following compound C5H7NO2. Assume the value of the BOD first-order
Reaction rate constant is 0.23/d (base e) (0.10/d base 10)

Ans : BOD/COD = 0.68

BOD/TOC = 1.82
TOC/COD = 0.37
 Example 7; Calculation of ThOD

Determine the ThOD for glycine (CH2(NH2)COOH) using the following

assumption;
a)If the 1st step, the organic carbon & nitrogen are converted to carbon dioxide
(CO2) and ammonia (NH3), respectively
b)In the 2nd and 3rd steps, the ammonia is oxidized sequentially to nitrite and
nitrate.
c)The ThOD is the sum of the oxygen required for all three steps.

Ans : ThOD= 112 g O2/mol glycine.

MICROBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Water for drinking & cooking purposes must be

DISEASE - made FREE from disease-producing organisms
PRODUCING (pathogens)
ORGANISMS Disease-producing organisms (pathogens) – viruses,
(pathogens) bacteria, protozoa and helminths (worms).

Some organism can cause disease in people

oroginate with the fecal discharge of infected
individuals @ animals.

Specific disease-producing organism presence in

water are not easily identify.
The techniques for comprehensive bacteriological
examination are COMPLEX and TIME CONSUMING.
Eg ; Total Coliform Test

(Davis and Cornwell, 2008)

RADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Cause by;
The development and use of atomic energy as a power
source
The mining of radioactive materials
Naturally occur
It is necessary to establish limiting concentrations for the
intake into the body.
The effect of human exposure to radiation @ radioactive
materials are HARMFUL and any unnecessary exposure
should be avoided.
The amount of radiation to which the individual is normally
exposed varies with the amount of background radioactivity.
Water with high radioactivity is not normal
Typical range of BOD and S.S. load
for industrial and municipal wastewater *

Total Suspended
Biochemical oxygen
solids
Origin of waste demand
“TSS” (kg/ton
“BOD” (kg/ton product)
product)
0.025 (kg/day/person) 0.022
Domestic sewage
(kg/day/person)
Dairy industry 5.3 2.2
Yeast industry 125 18.7
Starch & glucose industry 13.4 9.7
Fruits & vegetable canning 12.5 4.3
industry
Textile industry 30 - 314 55 - 196
Pulp & paper industry 4 - 130 11.5 - 26
Beverage industry 2.5 - 220 1.3 - 257
48 - 86 85 - 155
* Rapid assessment for
industrial pollution
Tannery industry
Important contaminants of concern in
industrial wastewater treatment
Suspended solids Suspended solids can lead to the development of
sludge deposits and anaerobic conditions when
untreated wastewater is discharged in the aquatic
environment.
Nutrients Both nitrogen and phosphate, along with carbon,
are essential nutrients for growth. When
discharged to the aquatic environment, these
nutrients can lead to the growth of undesirable
aquatic life. When discharged in excessive
amounts on land, they can also lead to the
pollution of groundwater.
Priority pollutants Organic and inorganic compounds selected on the
basis of their known or suspected carcinogenicity,
mutagenicity, teratogenicity, or high acute
toxicity. Many of these compounds are found in
wastewater.
Refractory organics These organics tend to resist conventional methods of wastewater
treatment. Typical examples include surfactants, phenols, and
agricultural pesticides.

Heavy metals Heavy metals are usually discharged to wastewater from commercial
and industrial activities and have to be removed if the wastewater is to
be reused.

Dissolved inorganics Inorganic constituents such as calcium, sodium, and sulfate are added to
the original domestic water supply as a result of water use and may have
to be removed if the wastewater is to be reused.
 Typical range of concentration values for industrial
and municipal wastewater **
Origin of waste pH T.S.S, BOD, COD, TDS, mg/l O&G,
mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l
壹 Domestic Sewage 7 220 250 500 500 -
壹 Dairy Industry 4 12150 14000 21100 19000 320
壹 Yeast Industry 5.3 540 2100 3400 3500 9
壹 Fruits & Vegetable 5.5 2200 800 1400 1270 94
Canning
壹 Textile Industry 6.5 1800 840 1500 17000 155
壹 Pulp & Paper Industry 8 1640 360 2300 1980 -
壹 Beverage Industry 9 760 620 1150 1290 -
壹 Tannery Industry 10 2600 2370 4950 8500 115
11 565 890 2350 8218 290
** Previous analysis
conducting in several
companies.
Fish Canning
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF GROUNDWATER & SURFACE WATER
Table 1.0 General characteristics of groundwater and surface water
GROUND SURFACE
Constant composition Varying composition
High mineralization Low mineralization
Little Turbidity High Turbidity
Low @ no color Color
Bacteriologically safe Microorganisms Present
No dissolved oxygen Dissolved oxygen
High hardness Low hardness
H2S, Fe, Mn Tastes and odors
Possible chemical toxicity
Adapted from Davis and Cornwell, 2008
 SURFACE WATER
Usually rainwater that
collects in surface water
bodies, like oceans, lakes, or
streams.
Another source -
groundwater that comes out
of the ground from springs.
Become polluted when
contaminants come into
direct contact and either
GROUNDWATER dissolve or physically mix
Water underneath the ground. with the water.
 Comes from rain water or water from surface water like
lakes or streams that soaks into the soil.
The water is stored underground in the tiny spaces
between rocks and soil grains and can move around within
the soil.
Groundwater contamination occurs when the water
comes into contact with contaminants.
 CHARACTERISTICS
OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER

 Industrial process generate a wide variety of wastewater pollutant.

 The characteristics and level of pollutants very significantly from industry to industry

Table 1.1 Example of industrial wastewater concentration for BOD 5

and suspended solids (Davis and Cornwell,2008)
Industry BOD5,mg/L Suspended Solid,
mg/L
Ammunition 50-300 70-1,700
Fermentation 4,500 10,000
Slaughterhouse 400-2,500 400-1,000
(cattle)
Pulp and paper 100-350 75-300
(kraft)
Tannery 700-7,000 4,000-20,000
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance is able
to damage an exposed organism.

Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism,

such as ;
•Animal
•Bacterium
•Plant
 TYPES OF TOXICITY
PHYSICAL
-include things not usually thought of under the heading of "toxic" by
many people
-eg. direct blows, concussion, sound and vibration, heat and cold etc

CHEMICAL
-include inorganic substances such as lead, mercury, asbestos,
hydrofluoric acid, and chlorine gas
-also organic compounds such as methyl alcohol, most medications,
and poisons from living things.

BIOLOGICAL
-include those bacteria and viruses that are able to induce disease in
living organisms.
-can be complicated to measure because the "threshold dose" may be a
single organism.
-Theoretically one virus, bacterium or worm can reproduce to cause a
serious infection.
TOXICITY TEST
Toxicity test are used to;
Assess the suitability of environmental conditions for aquatic life
Establish acceptable receiving water concentrations for conventional
parameter such as DO, pH, temp. or turbidity.
Study the effects of water quality parameters on wastewater toxicity.
Determine the effectiveness of wastewater-treatment method.
Assess the degree of wastewater treatment needed to meet water
pollution control requirement.
Determines compliance with federal & state water quality standard
and water quality criteria.
Establish permissible effluent discharge rate
NEED FOR INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
TREATMENT PLANTS
Such treatment should comply with the terms of the legislation defining the
characteristics of the effluent discharging in water streams.

The concept of planning and development should be based on the criteria to

protect land, water resources, aquatic life in streams and rivers and marine life from
pollution and to safeguard public health as a high priority.

The environmental inspection on wastewater treatment plants aims to support and

strengthen the Protection of both the environment and the public health, since the
pollution generated from the industrial establishments has a negative impact not only
on the environment, but also on the health of the individuals.

Therefore, it is noted that most of the procedures that could be implemented by

industrial establishments to reduce the negative environmental impacts, will also lead
to reducing the effects that present a threat to the health of workers within the plants
and the public living in regions affected by the various emissions from the plants.

In this respect, the effectiveness of the inspection on industrial wastewater

treatment plants will lead to the protection of the environment and the protection of
workers and public health.
THE END……

Thank You