Abstract
This study explores the potentials of Brachystegia eurycoma coagulant (BEC) and Vigna subterranean coagulant (VSC) as natural organic polymers (NOPs) for the decolourisation of Crystal Ponceau 6R (AR 44) in wastewater. Materials characterisation studies were done on the precursors. A detailed kinetics study was employed. The decolourisation procedures were evaluated through time-dependent reduction in the concentration of particles, with the variation of the independent parameters. The proximate analysis showed protein contents of 19.77% and 18.15% for BEC and VSC, respectively. The functional test showed the presence of –OH, N–H, and C=H. The surface morphological study revealed some rough surfaces, different pores sizes, and compact-net structures. The order of removal efficiency was VSC > BEC with an optimum of 88.8% and 73.3%, respectively. The values of the coagulation rate constant (K) and coagulation order (α) obtained for BEC and VSC were 6.38 × 10− 4 L mg− 1 min− 1, 1.8 and 4.03 × 10− 3 L mg− 1 min− 1, 1.9, respectively. The coagulation time, T ag of 31.35 and 26.96 min for BEC and VSC, respectively, disclosed quick coagulation. The coagulation-flocculation kinetics demonstrated that the process conforms to the pseudo-second-order model with R 2 >0.997, suggesting that the rate-controlling mechanism is governed by chemisorption. In the mass transfer study, experimental data were well predicted by the cross-validation test, with a percentage mean relative deviation modulus (M%) of 3.26 and 2.54 for BEC and VSC, respectively. These coagulants added meaningful progress in wastewater treatment by coagulation-flocculation while displaying significant adsorption features. Likewise, the usage of kinetics studies and particle behaviour modelling should be a prerequisite in water treatment processes.
Article Highlights
• Performance of plant seeds coagulants was investigated for colour removal.
• Vigna subterranean coagulant resulted in optimum colour removal of 88.8%.
• Brachystegia eurycoma coagulant resulted in optimum colour removal of 73.3%.
• The coagulation-flocculation process conforms to the pseudo-second-order model.
• The rate-controlling mechanism was governed by chemisorption.
Similar content being viewed by others
Availability of Data and Materials
(data transparency): All data and materials, as well as the software application, used to support their published claims and comply with field standards.
Code Availability
(software application or custom code): Not available.
References
Agunbiade SO, Longe OG (1999) The physico-functional characteristics of starches from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and yambean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa). Food Chem 65:469–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(98)00200-3
Ani J, Nnaji N, Onukwuli O, Okoye C (2012) Nephelometric and functional parameters response of coagulation for the purification of industrial wastewater using Detarium microcarpum. J Hazard Mater 243:59–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.09.069
AOAC (1990) Official methods of analysis, 15th edn. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington D C, USA
APHA-AWWA-WEF (1999) Standard methods for the examinations of water and wastewater, 21st edn. American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation, American Public Health Association, pp 362–372
Aviara NA, Ibrahim EB, Onuoha LN (2014) Physical properties of Brachystegia eurycoma seeds as affected by moisture content. Int J Agric Biol Eng 7:84–93
Bahrodin MB, Zaidi NS, Hussein N, Sillanpää M, Prasetyo DD, Syafiuddin A (2021) Recent advances on coagulation-based treatment of wastewater: transition from chemical to natural coagulant. Current Pollution Reports 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-021-00191-7
Beltrán-Heredia J, Sánchez-Martín J, Dávila-Acedo M (2011a) Optimization of the synthesis of a new coagulant from a tannin extract. J Hazard Mater 186:1704–1712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.12.075
Beltrán-Heredia J, Sánchez-Martín J, Rodríguez-Sánchez M (2011b) Textile wastewater purification through natural coagulants. Appl Water Sci 1:25–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-011-0005-2
Bolto B, Gregory J (2007) Organic polyelectrolytes in water treatment. Water Res 41:2301–2324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.03.012
Cainglet A, Tesfamariam A, Heiderscheidt E (2020) Organic polyelectrolytes as the sole precipitation agent in municipal wastewater treatment. J Environ Manage 271:111002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111002
Carnell AC (2003) MATLAB applications in chemical engineering. North Carolina State University
Chaibakhsh N, Ahmadi N, Zanjanchi MA (2014) Use of Plantago major L. as a natural coagulant for optimized decolorization of dye-containing wastewater. Ind Crops Prod 61:169–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2014.06.056
Chikri R, Elhadiri N, Benchanaa M, El Maguana Y (2020) Efficiency of sawdust as low-cost adsorbent for dyes removal. J Chem 2020:8813420. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8813420
Choudhary M, Neogi S (2017) A natural coagulant protein from Moringa oleifera: isolation, characterization, and potential use for water treatment. Mater Res Express 4:105502
Coates J (2006) Interpretation of infrared spectra, a practical approach. Encyclopedia of analytical chemistry: applications, theory and instrumentation
Edogbanya P, Ocholi O, Apeji Y (2013) A review on the use of plants’ seeds as biosorbents in the removal of heavy metals from water. Adv Agric Sci Eng Res 3:1036–1044
El-Nemr MA, Abdelmonem NM, Ismail IM, Ragab S, El Nemr A (2020) Ozone and ammonium hydroxide modification of biochar prepared from Pisum sativum peels improves the adsorption of copper (II) from an aqueous medium. Environ Processes 7:973–1007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-020-00455-2
Feng Q, Gao B, Yue Q, Guo K (2021) Flocculation performance of papermaking sludge-based flocculants in different dye wastewater treatment: Comparison with commercial lignin and coagulants. Chemosphere 262:128416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128416
Ghernaout D, Al-Ghonamy AI, Boucherit A, Ghernaout B, Naceur MW, Ait Messaoudene N, Aichouni M, Mahjoubi AA, Elboughdiri NA (2015) Brownian motion and coagulation process. Am J Environ Protection 4:1–15. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajeps.s.2015040501.11
Gregory J (2009) Monitoring particle aggregation processes. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 147:109–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2008.09.003
Heil D, Barbarick K (1989) Water treatment sludge influence on the growth of sorghum-sudangrass. J Environ Qual 18(3):292–298. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1989.00472425001800030008x
Ighalo JO, Adeniyi AG, Igwegbe CA (2021) 3D Reconstruction and morphological analysis of electrostimulated hyperthermophile biofilms of Thermotoga neapolitana. Biotechnol Lett 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-021-03123-z
Igwegbe CA, Onukwuli OD (2019) Removal of total dissolved solids (TDS) from aquaculture wastewater by coagulation-flocculation process using Sesamum indicum extract: effect of operating parameters and coagulation-flocculation kinetics. Pharm Chem J 6:32–45
Igwegbe CA, Ighalo JO, Onukwuli OD, Obiora-Okafo IA, Anastopoulos I (2021a) Coagulation-flocculation of aquaculture wastewater using green coagulant from Garcinia kola seeds: parametric studies, kinetic modelling and cost analysis. Sustainability 13:9177. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169177
Igwegbe CA, Ighalo JO, Onyechi KK, Onukwuli OD (2021b) Adsorption of congo red and malachite green using H3PO4 and NaCl-modified activated carbon from rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seed shells. Sustainable Water Res Manag 7:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-021-00544-6
Igwegbe CA, Onukwuli OD, Ighalo JO, Menkiti MC (2021c) Bio-coagulation-flocculation (BCF) of municipal solid waste leachate using Picralima Nitida extract: RSM and ANN modelling. Curr Res Green Sustainable Chem 4:100078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crgsc.2021.100078
Igwegbe CA, Onukwuli OD, Ighalo JO, Umembamalu CJ (2021d) Electrocoagulation-flocculation of aquaculture effluent using hybrid iron and aluminium electrodes: a comparative study. Chem Eng J Adv 6:100107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2021.100107
Ikegwu OJ, Oledinmma NU, Nwobasi VN, Alaka IC (2009) Effect of processing time and some additives on the apparent viscosity of ‘achi’ Brachystegia eurycoma flour. J Food Technol 7:34–37
Ishak SA, Murshed MF, Md Akil H, Ismail N, Md Rasib SZ, Al-Gheethi AAS (2020) The application of modified natural polymers in toxicant dye compounds wastewater: a review. Water 12:2032. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12072032
Kristanda J, Sintiago KS, Kristianto H, Prasetyo S, Sugih AK (2021) Optimization study of Leucaena leucocephala seed extract as natural coagulant on decolorization of aqueous congo red solutions. Arab J Sci Eng 46:6275–6286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-05008-1
Lanan FABM, Selvarajoo A, Sethu V, Arumugasamy SK (2021) Utilisation of natural plant-based fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) coagulant and okra (Abelmoschus escluentus) flocculant for palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment. J Environ Chem Eng 9:104667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.104667
Liang L, Tan J, Peng Y, Xia W, Xie G (2016) The role of polyaluminum chloride in kaolinite aggregation in the sequent coagulation and flocculation process. J Colloid Interface Sci 468:57–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2016.01.039
Łukasiewicz E (2016) Post-coagulation sludge management for water and wastewater treatment with focus on limiting its impact on the environment. Econ Environ Stud 16:831–841
Maurya S, Daverey A (2018) Evaluation of plant-based natural coagulants for municipal wastewater treatment. Biotech 8:1–4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-018-1103-8
McMahon D (2007) MATLAB Demystified. McGraw-Hill, New York
Menkiti M, Nnaji P, Onukwuli O (2009) Coag-flocculation kinetics and functional parameters response of periwinkle shell coagulant (PSC) to pH variation in organic rich coal effluent medium. Nat Sci 7:1–18
Menkiti M, Okoani A, Ejimofor M (2018) Adsorptive study of coagulation treatment of paint wastewater using novel Brachystegia eurycoma extract. Appl Water Sci 8:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-018-0836-1
Menkiti M, Onyechi C, Onukwuli O (2011) Evaluation of perikinetics compliance for the coag-flocculation of brewery effluent by Brachystegia eurycoma seed extract. Int J Multidiscip Sci Eng 2:77–83
Moghaddam SS, Moghaddam MA, Arami M (2010) Coagulation/flocculation process for dye removal using sludge from water treatment plant: optimization through response surface methodology. J Hazard Mater 175:651–657. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2016.1165150
Mudzielwana R, Gitari W, Ndungu P (2019) Removal of As (III) from synthetic groundwater using Fe-Mn bimetal modified kaolin clay: adsorption kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamics studies. Environ Processes 6:1005–1018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-019-00397-4
Mumbi AW, Fengting L, Karanja A (2018) Sustainable treatment of drinking water using natural coagulants in developing countries: a case of informal settlements in Kenya. Water Utility J 18:1–11
Nnaji P, Anadebe C, Onukwuli OD (2020) Application of experimental design methodology to optimize dye removal by Mucuna sloanei induced coagulation of dye-based wastewater. Desal Water Treat 198:396–406
Obiora-Okafo I, Menkiti M, Onukwuli O (2014) Utilization of response surface methodology and factor design in micro organic particles removal from brewery wastewater by coagulation/flocculation technique. Int J Appl Sci Maths 1:15–21
Obiora-Okafo I, Onukwuli O (2018a) Characterization and optimization of spectrophotometric colour removal from dye containing wastewater by coagulation-flocculation. Pol J Chem Technol 20(4):49–59. https://doi.org/10.2478/pjct-2018-0054
Obiora-Okafo IA, Onukwuli OD (2018b) Characterization and optimization of spectrophotometric colour removal from dye containing wastewater by coagulation-flocculation. Pol J Chem Tech 20:49–59. https://doi.org/10.2478/pjct-2018-0054
Obiora-Okafo I, Onukwuli O, Eli-Chukwu N (2020) Evaluation of bio-coagulants for colour removal from dye synthetic wastewater: characterization, adsorption kinetics, and modelling approach. Water SA 46:300–312. https://doi.org/10.17159/wsa.2020.v46i2.8246
Obiora-Okafo I, Onukwuli O, Ezugwu C (2019) Application of kinetics and mathematical modelling for the study of colour removal from aqueous solution using natural organic polymer. Desalin Water Treat 165:362–373. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.24507
Obiora-Okafo IA, Onukwuli OD (2021) Study on the pore and fibre metric characteristics of natural organic polymer for colour degradation in wastewater: face-centred central composite design. World Scientific News 159:20–44
Obiora-Okafo IA, Onukwuli OD, Omotioma M (2018) The relevance of adsorption mechanism on spectrometric colour removal: investigation of optimum operation parameters. Der Pharma Chemica 10:139–151
Oke E, Arinkoola A, Salam K (2014) Mathematical modeling of mass transfer rate during injection of CO2 into water and surfactant solution. Pet Coal 56:54–61
Oke E, Okolo B, Adeyi O, Agbede O, Nnaji P, Adeyi J, Osoh K, Ude C (2021) Black-box modelling, bi-objective optimization and ASPEN batch simulation of phenolic compound extraction from Nauclea latifolia root. Heliyon 7:e05856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05856
Onukwuli O, Obiora-Okafo I (2019) Performance of polymer coagulants for colour removal from dye simulated medium: Polymer adsorption studies. Indian J Chem Technol 26:205–215. http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/48469
Onukwuli O, Obiora-Okafo I, Omotioma M (2018) The Relevance of Adsorption Mechanism on Spectrometric Colour Removal: investigation of Optimum Operation Parameters. Der Pharma Chemica 10:139–151
Onukwuli OD, Obiora-Okafo IA, Omotioma M (2019) Characterization and colour removal from an aqueous solution using bio-coagulants: response surface methodological approach. J Chem Technol Metall 54(1):77–89
Pérez JMM, Pascau J (2013) Image Processing with ImageJ. Packt Publishing Ltd
Saini R, Kumar P (2016) Simultaneous removal of methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos pesticides from model wastewater using coagulation/flocculation: central composite design. J Environ Chem Eng 4:673–680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2015.12.020
Sanghi R, Bhatttacharya B, Singh V (2002) Cassia angustifolia seed gum as an effective natural coagulant for decolourisation of dye solutions. Green Chem 4:252–254. https://doi.org/10.1039/B200067A
Schick M, Hubbard A (2005) Coagulation and flocculation: Experimental and modelling studies, structure formation in dispersed systems. Taylor & Francis Group, LLC Surfactant Science Series 126:162–813
Šćiban M, Radetić B, Kevrešan Ž, Klašnja M (2007) Adsorption of heavy metals from electroplating wastewater by wood sawdust. Bioresour Technol 98:402–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2005.12.014
Shankar YS, Ankur K, Bhushan P, Mohan D (2019) Utilization of water treatment plant (WTP) sludge for pretreatment of dye wastewater using coagulation/flocculation. Advances in Waste Management. Springer, pp 107–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0215-2_8
Sonal S, Mishra BK (2021) Role of coagulation/flocculation technology for the treatment of dye wastewater: trend and future aspects. Water pollution and management practices. Springer, pp 303–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8358-2_13
Sonal S, Ugale D, Mishra BK (2021) Combining surface water with mine water to improve the removal of natural organic matter by enhanced coagulation. Mine Water Environ 1–12
Taitelbaum H, Koza Z (2000) Kinetics and segregation at a single trap. J Mole Liq 86:305–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-7322(99)00153-1
Trefalt G, Cao T, Sugimoto T, Borkovec M (2020) Heteroaggregation between charged and neutral particles. Langmuir 36:5303–5311. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00667
Trinh TK, Kang LS (2011) Response surface methodological approach to optimize the coagulation–flocculation process in drinking water treatment. Chem Eng Res Des 89:1126–1135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2010.12.004
Ugonabo IV, Onukwuli O, Ezechukwu C (2020) Deturbidization of pharmaceutical industry wastewater using natural coagulant: response surface methodology applied. Int J Progressive Sci Technol 22:258–267
Viraraghavan T, Ionescu M (2002) Land application of phosphorus-laden sludge: a feasibility analysis. J Environ Manage 64:171–177. https://doi.org/10.1006/jema.2001.0520
Yin C-Y (2010) Emerging usage of plant-based coagulants for water and wastewater treatment. Process Biochem 45:1437–1444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2010.05.030
Yousefi A, Niakousari M, Moradi M (2013) Microwave assisted hot air drying of papaya (Carica papaya L.) pretreated in osmotic solution. Afr J Agric Res 8:3229–3235. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR12.180
Zhu G, Zheng H, Chen W, Fan W, Zhang P, Tshukudu T (2012) Preparation of a composite coagulant: Polymeric aluminum ferric sulfate (PAFS) for wastewater treatment. Desalination 285:315–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.10.019
Zhu G, Zheng H, Zhang Z, Tshukudu T, Zhang P, Xiang X (2011) Characterization and coagulation–flocculation behavior of polymeric aluminum ferric sulfate (PAFS). Chem Eng J 178:50–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2011.10.008
Zhu Z, Fu S, Lavoine N, Lucia LA (2020) Structural reconstruction strategies for the design of cellulose nanomaterials and aligned wood cellulose-based functional materials–A review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116722. Carbohydrate Polymers:116722
Zonoozi MH, Alavi Moghaddam M, Arami M (2011) Study on the removal of acid dyes using chitosan as a natural coagulant/coagulant aid. Water Sci Technol 63(3):403–409. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2011.234
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, and Energy Research Centre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria for making available their facilities for this study. This study received no specific support from public, private, or non-profit funding bodies.
Funding
No external funding was received for the study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Conceptualisation: Ifeoma Amaoge Obiora-Okafo, Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli; Methodology: Ifeoma Amaoge Obiora-Okafo, Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli; Formal analysis and investigation: Ifeoma Amaoge Obiora-Okafo, Chinenye Adaobi Igwegbe; Writing—Ifeoma Amaoge Obiora-Okafo, Chinenye Adaobi Igwegbe; Writing—review and editing: Ifeoma Amaoge Obiora-Okafo, Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli, Chinenye Adaobi Igwegbe, Chijioke Elijah Onu, Monday Omotioma; Resources: Ifeoma Amaoge Obiora-Okafo; Supervision: Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli.
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors proclaim no conflicts of interest.
Compliance with Ethical Standards
There is no research using human or animal subjects in this article.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Electronic Supplementary Material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Obiora-Okafo, I.A., Onukwuli, O.D., Igwegbe, C.A. et al. Enhanced Performance of Natural Polymer Coagulants for Dye Removal from Wastewater: Coagulation Kinetics, and Mathematical Modelling Approach. Environ. Process. 9, 20 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-022-00561-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-022-00561-3