Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vegetable Oil Refinery Wastewater Treatment by Using the Cactus as a Bio-flocculant in the Coagulation-Flocculation Process

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Industrial wastewater has a considerable environmental impact on the environment. Wastewater from oil refining, which has been removed from oils, grease, detergents, and phenol, is one of the effluents which present a particular danger to the environment. In this study, we used bio-coagulants to reduce pollution by coagulation-flocculation of wastewater from oil refining. This study shows an exciting contribution to the valuation of natural resources such as cacti in Morocco. Bio-coagulant is a novel biodegradable organic flocculant extracted from prickly pear juice. The results showed that the extract’s optimal dosage varies between 10 and 40 mg/L, leading to removal yields ranging from 40 to 90%. Global data, based on the use of cactus juice as a coagulant in coagulation-flocculation processes for the treatment of oil refinery wastewater, showed removal percentages between 86 and 99%, 62 and 76%, and 67 and 95% for turbidity, COD, and discoloration, respectively. Indeed, bio-flocculants are effective for treating process wastewater on a laboratory scale using a 50-L pilot with the lowest cost. However, more research is needed to explore the scaling of the laboratory scale to well-illustrate the various parameters that drive practical application on a large scale. The bio-flocculant used is a new biodegradable natural product which does not affect the environment compared to other synthetic flocculants. It is of definite interest for the treatment of waste water rich in oils and greases producing less sludge.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrouki, Y., Mabrouki, J., Anouzla, A., Safaa Rifi, K., Zahiri, Y., Nehhal, S., El Yadini, A., Slimani, R., El Hajjaji, S., Loukili, H., & Souabi, S. (2021). November optimization and modeling of a fixed-bed biosorption of textile dye using agricultural biomass from the Moroccan Sahara a Laboratory of Spectroscopy. Molecular Modeli, Desalination and Water Treatment, 240, 144–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Achak, M., Boumya, W., Ouazzani, N., & Mandi, L. (2019). Preliminary evaluation of constructed wetlands for nutrients removal from olive mill wastewater (OMW) after passing through a sand filter. Ecological Engineering, 136, 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2019.06.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Afnor, N. (1999). T 90-210 (1999) Qualité de l’eau–Protocole d’évaluation d’une méthode alternatived’analyse physico-chimique quantitative par rapport à une méthode de référence. AFNOR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anouzla, A., Abrouki, Y., Souabi, S., et al. (2009). Colour and COD removal of disperse dye solution by a novel coagulant: Application of statistical design for the optimization and regression analysis. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 166, 1302–1306.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anouzla, A., Kastali, M., Azoulay, K., Bencheikh, I., Ghizlane Fattah, G., Mabrouki, J., Elhassani, C. E., Ouadil, B., El Moustaqim, K., Bakkouche, C., Moussadik, A., Mouhir, L., Digua, K., Souabi, S., Khaoulaf, R., El Hajjaji, S., Loukili, H., Saffaj, N., Azroure, M., & Abrouki, Y. (2022). Multi-response optimization of coagulation–flocculation process for stabilized landfill leachate treatment using a coagulant based on an industrial effluent. Desalination and Water Treatment, 254, 71–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari, M. H., Parsa, J. B., & Arjomandi, J. (2017). Application of conducting polyaniline, o-anisidine, o-phenetidine and o-chloroaniline in removal of nitrate from water via electrically switching ion exchange: Modeling and optimization using a response surface methodology. Separation and Purification Technology, 179, 104–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asrafuzzaman, M., Fakhruddin, A. N. M., & Hossain, M. (2011). Reduction of turbidity of water using locally available natural coagulants. ISRN Microbiology, 2011.

  • Ayeche, R. (2012). Treatment by coagulation-flocculation of dairy wastewater with the residual lime of National Algerian Industrial Gases Company (NIGC-Annaba). Energy Procedia, 18, 147–156.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhanvase, B. A., Ugwekar, R. P., & Mankar, R. B. (2017). Novel water treatment and separation methods: Simulation of chemical processes. CRC Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bouatay, F., & Mhenni, F. (2014). Use of the cactus cladodes mucilage (OpuntiaFicusIndica) as an eco-friendly flocculants: Process development and optimization using stastical analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research, 8, 1295–1308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boutakiout, A., Elothmani, D., Hanine, H., Mahrouz, M., Le Meurlay, D., Hmid, I., & Ennahli, S. (2018). Effects of different harvesting seasons on antioxidant activity and phenolic content of prickly pear cladode juice. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 17(4), 471–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatoui, M., Lahsaini, S., & Aguelmous, A. (2017). Removal of oil and grease from vegetable oil refinery wastewaters by coagulation-flocculation process. Moroccan Journal of Chemistry, 5(5-4), 683–690.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chatoui, M., Lahsaini, S., Souabi, S., et al. (2016). Study of refining wastewater pollution: Case of vegetable oil refining industry Morocco. Journal of Materials and Environmental Science, 7(10).

  • Chatzisymeon, E., Stypas, E., Bousios, S., et al. (2008). Photocatalytic treatment of black table olive processing wastewater. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 154, 1090–1097.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choudri, B. S., Al-Awadhi, T., Charabi, Y., & Al-Nasiri, N. (2020). Wastewater treatment, reuse, and disposal-associated effects on environment and health. Water Environment Research, 92, 1595–1602. https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1406

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cisterna-Osorio, P., & Arancibia-Avila, P. (2019). Comparison of biodegradation of fats and oils by activated sludge on experimental and real scales. Water, 11, 1286. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11061286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dkhissi, O., El Hakmaoui, A., Souabi, S., et al. (2018). Treatment of vegetable oil refinery wastewater by coagulation - flocculation process using the cactus as a bio - flo c culant. Jmes, 9, 18–25. https://doi.org/10.26872/jmes.2018.9.1.3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donald, A. E., Chizuruoke, D. M., & Gladys, O. O. (2019). Quality assessment of vegetable oil effluent discharged into a southeastern Nigeria river. African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research, 2, 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feria-Díaz, J. J., Rodiño-Arguello, J. P., & Gutiérrez-Ribon, G. E. (2016). Behavior of turbidity, pH, alkalinity and color in Sinú River raw water treated by natural coagulants. RevistaFacultad de Ingeniería Universidad de Antioquia, 112–118.

  • Ginos, A., Manios, T., & Mantzavinos, D. (2006). Treatment of olive mill effluents by coagulation–flocculation–hydrogen peroxide oxidation and effect on phytotoxicity. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 133, 135–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.10.024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jafarinejad, S. (2017). Activated sludge combined with powdered activated carbon (PACT process) for the petroleum industry wastewater treatment: A review. ChemInt, 3, 368–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karadag, D., Köroğlu, O. E., Ozkaya, B., & Cakmakci, M. (2015). A review on anaerobic biofilm reactors for the treatment of dairy industry wastewater. Process Biochemistry, 50, 262–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2014.11.005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kastali, M., Mouhir, L., Chatoui, M., Haddaji, C., Khattabi, S., Souabi, S., & Anouzla, A. (2022). Study of the Pollution Generated by Wastewater from the Refining of Vegetable Oils. Int. J. of Membrane Science and Technology, 9, 101–115.

  • Kuppusamy, S., Sethurajan, M., Kadarkarai, M., & Aruliah, R. (2017). Biodecolourization of textile dyes by novel, indigenous Pseudomonas stutzeri MN1 and Acinetobacterbaumannii MN3. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 5, 716–724.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Louhıchı, G., Bousselmı, L., Ghrabı, A., & Khounı, I. (2019). Process optimization via response surface methodology in the physico-chemical treatment of vegetable oil refinery wastewater. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26, 18993–19011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2657-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra, S., & Maiti, A. (2018). The efficacy of bacterial species to decolourise reactive azo, anthroquinone and triphenylmethane dyes from wastewater: A review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25, 8286–8314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1273-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammadi, T., & Esmaeelifar, A. (2005). Wastewater treatment of a vegetable oil factory by a hybrid ultrafiltration-activated carbon process. Journal of Membrane Science, 254, 129–137.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nougbodé, Y. A. E. I., Agbangnan, C. P., Koudoro, A. Y., et al. (2013). Evaluation of the <i>Opuntiadillenii</i> as natural coagulant in water clarification: Case of treatment of highly turbid surface water. JWARP, 5, 1242–1246. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2013.512133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noukeu, N. A., Gouado, I., Priso, R. J., et al. (2016). Characterization of effluent from food processing industries and stillage treatment trial with Eichhorniacrassipes (Mart.) and Panicum maximum (Jacq.). Water Resources and Industry, 16, 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piperidou, C. I., Chaidou, C. I., Stalikas, C. D., et al. (2000). Bioremediation of olive oil mill wastewater: Chemical alterations induced by Azotobactervinelandii. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 48, 1941–1948.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qasim, W., & Mane, A. V. (2013). Characterization and treatment of selected food industrial effluents by coagulation and adsorption techniques. Water Resources and Industry, 4, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wri.2013.09.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rizzo, L., Lofrano, G., Grassi, M., & Belgiorno, V. (2008). Pre-treatment of olive mill wastewater by chitosan coagulation and advanced oxidation processes. Separation and Purification Technology, 63, 648–653.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saatci, Y., Arslan, E. I., & Konar, V. (2003). Removal of total lipids and fatty acids from sunflower oil factory effluent by UASB reactor. Bioresource Technology, 87, 269–272.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sabah, E., Çinar, M., & Çelik, M. S. (2007). Decolorization of vegetable oils: Adsorption mechanism of β-carotene on acid-activated sepiolite. Food Chemistry, 100, 1661–1668.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Martín, J., Beltrán-Heredia, J., & Solera-Hernández, C. (2010). Surface water and wastewater treatment using a new tannin-based coagulant. Pilot plant trials. Journal of Environmental Management, 91, 2051–2058.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serajuddin M, Chowdhury MA, Haque MM, Haque ME (2019). Using turbidity to determine total suspended solids in an urban stream: A case study. In: 2nd International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering (iCWEE-2019, Dhaka)

  • Sharghi, E. A., Shourgashti, A., & Bonakdarpour, B. (2020). Considering a membrane bioreactor for the treatment of vegetable oil refinery wastewaters at industrially relevant organic loading rates. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 1–15.

  • Sharma S, Simsek H (2018). Optimization of combined electrocoagulation and electrooxidation process in the treatment of sunflower oil refinery wastewater. In: Hammamet, Tunisia: 5th International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment (5th ICSAE). pp 195–203

  • Shiva Shankar, Y., Ankur, K., Bhushan, P., & Mohan, D. (2019). Utilization of water treatment plant (WTP) sludge for pretreatment of dye wastewater using coagulation/flocculation. In A. S. Kalamdhad, J. Singh, & K. Dhamodharan (Eds.), Advances in waste management (pp. 107–121). Springer Singapore.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, J., Yang, J.-K., & Chang, Y.-Y. (2016). Rapid degradation of phenol by ultrasound-dispersed nano-metallic particles (NMPs) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide: A possible mechanism for phenol degradation in water. Journal of Environmental Management, 175, 60–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.03.025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sridhar, S., Kale, A., & Khan, A. A. (2002). Reverse osmosis of edible vegetable oil industry effluent. Journal of Membrane Science, 205, 83–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tetteh, E. K., Naidoo, B. D., & Rathilal, S. (2019). Optimization of photo-catalytic degradation of oil refinery wastewater using Box-Behnken design. Environmental Engineering Research, 24(4).

  • Torres LG, Carpinteyro-Urban SL (2012). Use of Prosopislaevigata seed gum and Opuntiaficus-indica mucilage for the treatment of municipal wastewaters by coagulation-flocculation. 2012. https://doi.org/10.4236/nr.2012.32006

  • Verma, A. K., Dash, R. R., & Bhunia, P. (2012). A review on chemical coagulation/flocculation technologies for removal of color from textile wastewaters. Journal of Environmental Management, 93, 154–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.09.012

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zahrim, A. Y., Tizaoui, C., & Hilal, N. (2010). Evaluation of several commercial synthetic polymers as flocculant aids for removal of highly concentrated C.I. Acid Black 210 dye. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 182, 624–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.06.077

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Availability of Data and Materials

Not applicable. The manuscript has not been submitted to a preprint server prior to submission on NTEE.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés et Environnement Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Mohammedia, Université Hassan II de Casablanca, Mohammedia, Morocco

    Ouafae Dkhissi, Roukaya Bouyakhsass, Abdelkader Anouzla & Salah Souabi

  2. Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et de Chimie Bio-organique, URAC22, Pôle Ré PAM, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Mohammedia, Université Hassan II de Casablanca, Mohammedia, Morocco

    Ahmed El Hakmaoui, Mohamed Chatoui & Hajar Bakraouy

  3. College of Ecology and the Environment, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China

    Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan

  4. Institut de Sciences des Matériaux de Mulhouse (IS2M-UMR 7361 CNRS - UHA), 15, rue Jean Starcky, 2488, 68057, Mulhouse Cedex, BP, France

    Amane Jada

Authors
  1. Ouafae Dkhissi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ahmed El Hakmaoui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohamed Chatoui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roukaya Bouyakhsass
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hajar Bakraouy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Abdelkader Anouzla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Amane Jada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Salah Souabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

OD, AE, MC, RB, HB, and AJ tested and analyzed the data. OD, AA, and SS interpreted the data and contribute to writing the paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdelkader Anouzla.

Ethics declarations

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dkhissi, O., El Hakmaoui, A., Chatoui, M. et al. Vegetable Oil Refinery Wastewater Treatment by Using the Cactus as a Bio-flocculant in the Coagulation-Flocculation Process. Water Air Soil Pollut 234, 322 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06337-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06337-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation