Biotechnological reduction of sulfide in an industrial primary wastewater treatment system: A sustainable and successful case study
- Central Leather Research Institute, Madras (India)
The leather industry is an important export-oriented industry in India, with more than 3,000 tanneries located in different clusters. Sodium sulfide, a toxic chemical, is used in large quantities to remove hair and excess flesh from hides and skins. Most of the sodium sulfide used in the process is discharged as waste in the effluent, which causes serious environmental problems. Reduction of sulfide in the effluent is generally achieved by means of chemicals in the pretreatment system, which involves aerobic mixing using large amounts of chemicals and high energy, and generating large volumes of sludge. A simple biotechnological system that uses the residual biosludge from the secondary settling tank was developed, and the commercial-scale application established that more than 90% of the sulfide could be reduced in the primary treatment system. In addition to the reduction of sulfide, foul smells, BOD and COD are reduced to a considerable level. 3 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 567692
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9611157--; ON: DE97009015
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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