Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of inverse fluidized bed reactor on the treatment efficiency of distillery spent wash water

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of several pre-selected carrier materials used in an Inverse Fluidized Bed Reactor (IFBR) on the treatment efficiency of distillery spent wash water. Distillery spent wash water has been identified as a threat to the natural environment due to its high pollution load. The effluents from the industry are dark brown in color and contain heavy organic matter, causing a high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD); however, they can be treated effectively through biological processes. Previous research reveals that a high-rate anaerobic digester especially an IFBR reduces COD more effectively than other treatment technologies. The effectiveness of the reactor depends on the expansion of the fluidized bed which in turn is related to the carrier material. In this study, four different carrier materials: perlite, expanded perlite, sawdust and polystyrene, were selected. The carrier materials selected were assessed based on their efficiency in reducing COD, Total Solids (TS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Results were taken at 140-h Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), with a constant Organic Loading Rate (OLR) of 12 kg COD/m3/day. Among the selected carrier materials, expanded perlite was most effective at reducing COD, TS, TDS and TSS (83.33, 72.47, 29.67 and 88.78%, respectively). This method could be easily implemented in industrial practice and thereby reduce the negative impact of production plants on the natural environment.

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
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the attached supplementary file/ from the corresponding author on request.

References

  • APHA (1998) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, American Public Health Association.

  • Babu KG, Babu DS (2003) Behaviour of lightweight expanded polystyrene concrete containing silica fume. Cem Concr Res 33(5):755–762. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(02)01055-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balamurugan P, Shunmugapriya K (2019) Treatment of urinal waste water using natural coagulants. Int J Rec Technol Eng (IJRTE) 8:355–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balamurugan P, Vinnilavu G (2020) Removal of methyl violet dye from industrial waste water using neem leaf powder. Indian J Ecol 47(2):442–445

    Google Scholar 

  • Balamurugan P, Priya GS, Arunkumar S (2018) Design of systems for recycling of wastewater for sustainable development. Int J Civil Eng Technol 2(9):955–962

    Google Scholar 

  • Barwal A, Chaudhary R (2014) To study the performance of biocarriers in moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) technology and kinetics of biofilm for retrofitting the existing aerobic treatment systems: a review. Rev Environ Sci Bio/technol 13(3):285–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-014-9333-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj A, Tongia R, Arunachalam VS (2007) Scoping technology options for India’s oil security: part II-Coal to liquids and bio-diesel. Curr Sci 92(9):1234–1241

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buffière P, Bergeon JP, Moletta R (2000) The inverse turbulent bed: a novel bioreactor for anaerobic treatment. Water Res 34(2):673–677. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(99)00166-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Celik AG, Kilic AM, Cakal GO (2013) Expanded perlite aggregate characterization for use as a lightweight construction raw material. Physicochem Prob Mineral Proc 49(2013):689–700. https://doi.org/10.5277/ppmp130227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Celis LB, Villa-Gómez D, Alpuche-Solís AG, Ortega-Morales BO, Razo-Flores E (2009) Characterization of sulfate-reducing bacteria dominated surface communities during start-up of a down-flow fluidized bed reactor. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 36(1):111–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-008-0478-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhary R, Arora M (2011) Study on distillery effluent: chemical analysis and impact on environment. Int J Adv Eng Technol 2(2):352–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhary P, Khan N, Bharagava RN (2018) Distillery wastewater: it’s impact on environment and remedies. Environ Anal Ecol Stud 1:14–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury ZZ, Karim MZ, Ashraf MA, Khalid K (2016) Influence of carbonization temperature on physicochemical properties of biochar derived from slow pyrolysis of durian wood (Durio zibethinus) sawdust. BioResources 11(2):3356–3372

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dag SE, Bozkurt PA, Eroglu F, Çelik M (2019) Preparation characterization and properties of polystyrene/Na-montmorillonite composites. J Thermoplast Comp Mater 32(8):1078–1091

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danehpash S, Farshchi P, Roayaei E, Ghoddousi J, Hassani AH (2018) Removal of crude oil from aqueous solutions by natural adsorbents. Ukr J Ecol 8(3):170–173

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Calderón D, Buffière P, Moletta R, Elmaleh S (1998) Influence of biomass accumulation on bed expansion characteristics of a down-flow anaerobic fluidized-bed reactor. Biotechnol Bioeng 57(2):136–144. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19980120)57:2%3c136::AID-BIT2%3e3.0.CO;2-O

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IS 1124: (1974) Method of test for determination of water absorption, apparent specific gravity and porosity of natural building stones. Indian Standard Details. Bureau of Indian Standards

  • IS 2720: (1974) Methods of test for soils. Part 28 Determination of dry density of soils, in-place, by the sand replacement method (First Revision). Indian Standard Details. Bureau of Indian Standards

  • IS 2720: (1980) Methods of test for soils. Part 3 Determination of specific gravity. Section 2 Fine, medium and coarse grained soils. Indian Standard Details. Bureau of Indian Standards

  • IS 2720: (1985) Methods of test for soils. Part 4 Grain size analysis (Second Revision). Indian Standard Details. Bureau of Indian Standards

  • IS 2720: (1987) Method of test for soils. Part 26 Determination of pH value (Second Revision). Indian Standard Details. Bureau of Indian Standards

  • IS 6932: (1973) Method of test for building limes. Part 1 Determination of insoluble residue, loss on ignition, insoluble matter, silicone dioxide, ferric and aluminum oxide, calcium oxide and magnesium oxide. Indian Standard Details. Bureau of Indian Standards

  • IS3025: (1984a) Methods of sampling and test (Physical And Chemical) for water and wastewater. Part 16 Filterable residue (Total Dissolved Solids) (First Revision). Indian Standard Details. Bureau of Indian Standards.

  • IS3025: (1984b) Methods of sampling and test (Physical and Chemical) for water and wastewater. Part 17 Non-Filterable Residue (Total Suspended Solids) (First Revision). Indian Standard Details. Bureau of Indian Standards.

  • Jain D, Khatri C, Rani A (2011) Synthesis and characterization of novel solid base catalyst from fly ash. Fuel 90(6):2083–2088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2010.09.025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Javed SH, Naveed S, Feroze N, Zafar M, Shafaq M (2010) Crystal and amorphous silica from KMnO4 treated and untreated rice husk. J Qual Technol Manag 6(1):81–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang ZH, Yang Z, So CL, Hse CY (2007) Rapid prediction of wood crystallinity in Pinus elliotii plantation wood by near-infrared spectroscopy. J Wood Sci 53(5):449–453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-007-0883-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez AM, Borja R, Martın A (2003) Aerobic-anaerobic biodegradation of beet molasses alcoholic fermentation wastewater. Process Biochem 38(9):1275–1284. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0032-9592(02)00325-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi HC (1999) Bio-energy potential of distillery effluents. Bioenergy News 3(3):10–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Kayacı K (2020) The use of perlite as flux in the production of porcelain stoneware tiles. Boletín De La Sociedad Española De Cerámica y Vidrio. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsecv.2020.03.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li H, Yu Y, Yang Y (2005) Synthesis of exfoliated polystyrene/montmorillonite nanocomposite by emulsion polymerization using a zwitterion as the clay modifier. Eur Polymer J 41(9):2016–2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2005.03.014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mailleret L, Bernard O, Steyer JP (2003) Robust regulation of anaerobic digestion processes. Water Sci Technol 48(6):87–94. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2003.0364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohana S, Acharya BK, Madamwar D (2009) Distillery spent wash: treatment technologies and potential applications. J Hazard Mater 163(1):12–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.06.079

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papirio S, Villa-Gomez DK, Esposito G, Pirozzi F, Lens PNL (2013) Acid mine drainage treatment in fluidized-bed bioreactors by sulfate-reducing bacteria: a critical review. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 43(23):2545–2580. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2012.694328

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodsrud G, Frolander A, Sjode A, Lersch M (2012) Conversion of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin into platform molecules: biotechnological approach. Biorefinery: From Biomass to Chemicals and Fuels, 141–166.

  • Sari A, Karaipekli A, Alkan C (2009) Preparation, characterization and thermal properties of lauric acid/expanded perlite as novel form-stable composite phase change material. Chem Eng J 155(3):899–904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2009.09.005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shaaban A, Se SM, Mitan NMM, Dimin MF (2013) Characterization of biochar derived from rubber wood sawdust through slow pyrolysis on surface porosities and functional groups. Procedia Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.12.193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh PN, Robinson T, Singh D (2004) Treatment of industrial effluents-distillery effluent. Food Products Press, New York, Concise encyclopedia of bioresource technology, pp 135–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Sowmeyan R, Swaminathan G (2008) Evaluation of inverse anaerobic fluidized bed reactor for treating high strength organic wastewater. Biores Technol 99(9):3877–3880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2007.08.021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Lier JB, Tilche A, Ahring BK, Macarie H, Moletta R, Dohanyos M, Verstraete W (2001) New perspectives in anaerobic digestion. Water Sci Technol 43(1):1–18. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2001.0001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinnilavu G, Balamurugan P (2019) Colour removal using neem leaf powder. Indian J Environ Prot 39(12):1148–1153

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z, Cao J, Wang J (2009) Pyrolytic characteristics of pine wood in a slowly heating and gas sweeping fixed-bed reactor. J Anal Appl Pyrol 84(2):179–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2009.02.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westall F, Brack A (2018) The importance of water for life. Space Sci Rev 214(2):50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-018-0476-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xuemei H, Hao Y (2013) Fabrication of polystyrene/detonation nanographite composite microspheres with the core/shell structure via pickering emulsion polymerization. J Nanomater. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/751497

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering, Karur, Tamil Nadu, India

    P. Balamurugan

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Alagappa Chettiar Government College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. Pauline

  3. United Engineers, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India

    M. Kirubakaran

  4. Chemiqua Water and Wastewater Company, Kraków, Poland

    M. Thomas

Authors
  1. P. Balamurugan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Pauline
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Kirubakaran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Thomas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Balamurugan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declared that there is no conflict of interest.

Informed consent

The authors grant the journal/ publisher the sole and exclusive license of the full copyright in the contribution. Consequently, the journal/ publisher shall have the exclusive right throughout the world to publish and sell the contribution in all languages, and in any form, i.e., hard copy, digital and electronic form.

Additional information

Editorial responsibility: Josef Trögl.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Balamurugan, P., Pauline, S., Kirubakaran, M. et al. Assessment of inverse fluidized bed reactor on the treatment efficiency of distillery spent wash water. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 19, 9609–9622 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03650-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03650-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation