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Impact of Different RPM on BOD, COD and Turbidity Reduction Using Natural and Synthetic Media in Dairy Wastewater Treatment
Summary
A multi-stage rotating biological contactor using both natural (coconut coir) and synthetic (polyethylene) media achieved 90.1% BOD, 85.3% COD, and 79.8% turbidity removal from dairy wastewater, with rotational speed optimization key to performance. This study is relevant because plastic-based biofilm media used in wastewater treatment systems can themselves shed microplastic fibers and particles into treated effluent streams.
This study lays the foundation for an integrated and adaptive method for treating dairy wastewater within a multi-stage Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) system. Rotational speed optimization from stage to stage, dynamic control of hydraulic retention time (HRT), and better media performance evaluation are the ingredients drawn into the proposed model for the efficient removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and turbidity. Each RBC stage works with pollutant-specific RPM levels, that is, at the maximum biofilm interaction and pollutant reduction. HRT adjustments in real-time work via feedback mechanisms, whereas biofilm attachment is optimized through shear stress and media characteristics. The aim of this study was to demonstrate through comparative experiments that both natural (coconut coir) and synthetic (polyethylene) media can result in high biofilm growth and pollutant degradation rates. Robustness tests under varying influent loads indicated the same steady performance of the system. The integrated model achieved BOD removal of 90.1%, COD reduction of 85.3%, and turbidity removal of 79.8%. The final effluent quality is stringent as it meets discharge limits, with BOD