Influence of process parameters in removing wastewater impurities via progressive freeze crystallization

Purpose: The research aims to investigate the effect of the process parameter of progressive freeze concentration to eliminate tricholorophenol in wastewater. Design/methodology/approach: A stainless steel crystallizer was used throughout the experiment. Simulated wastewater containing trichlorophenol (TCP) was used as a sample solution, and ethylene glycol was utilized as a coolant to induce the heat transfer at a very low temperature. Progressive freeze crystallization (PFC) is an approach to purify water by implementing the fundamental concept of difference freezing point. In short, the PFC system produces ice-crystal layer by layer on a cooled surface until it forms a large and single-crystal block, leaving the impurities in the mother liquor. Findings: It is established that operating time and initial concentration influence the PFC performance. The findings show that the intermediate operating time gave the highest removal of TCP in wastewater. Meanwhile, for the effect of initial concentration, it was discovered that the lowest initial concentration resulted in the best TCP reduction with high purity of the water was obtained. Research limitations/implications: The results can be complemented by studies of the effect of coolant temperature and solution movement. These two parameters are believed to potentially improve the PFC performance. Practical implications: The findings can be implemented to select the optimal operating condition to treat the wastewater, especially in the industrial area with hazardous TCP. Originality/value: The obtained results testify to the predominant influence of operating time and initial concentration on the PFC performance in eliminating TCP in wastewater