Treatment of Potato Processing Wastewaters by Activated Carbon Adsorption Process

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of degrees of pretreatment, types of activated carbons, dosages of activated carbons on the organic removal rates of potato processing wastewaters using the activated carbon adsorption process. Primary treated effluents, and secondary treated effluents using activated sludge and powdered activated carbon activated sludge processes were used as adsorbate in this study. Two types of activated carbon used consisted of granular activated carbon, Nuchar WV-L, and powdered activated carbon, Nuchar S-C, in dosages varied from 0.25 to 4 g per 50 ml of wastewater. Results indicated that activated sludge treatment removed 86-96% of COD from primary settled wastewaters. Activated sludge followed by activated carbon adsorption treatment removed 97% COD from primary settled wastewater with an effluent COD of 24 mg/1. Powdered activated carbon was more effective than granular activated carbon in removing COD from activated sludge treated effluents. © 1984 Springer