The Use of Jatropha Gossypifolia Stem Latex and Chitosan in the Treatment of Brewery Sludge

Abstract

Sludge, the settleable solids separated from liquids during various processes was collected by composite sampling method from the Brewery. Locally sourced natural coagulants, jatropha gossypifolia stem latex and chitosan were also collected. The collected sludge sample was characterized physicochemically according to standard procedures and was found to have high pollution potentials on the basis of some parameters determined. The values of some of the parameters were found to be 1034.00NTU, 640.00mg/l and 2072.19mg/l for Turbidity, BOD and COD respectively. The Total Solids (TS) and Suspended Solids (SS) were 7307.50mg/l and 2067.50mg/l respectively. Optimum dosage determined for the combined/mixed coagulants was 1.10ml of jatropha gossypifolia stem latex and 1.10ml of 1% chitosan solution respectively per 100ml sludge at pH of 6.7. On the basis of this, the sludge was treated and the treated sludge sample, characterized. Triplicate determinations were done in each case and the mean values and standard deviations obtained from statistical evaluation using the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison tests. From the results obtained, there were significant reductions (p<0.05) in pollution with over 90% reduction in the COD, BOD and Turbidity in the treated sludge sample. The total and suspended solids expectedly, increased by 34.24% and 19.98% respectively. The synergistic effects of the combined coagulants were very evident in the results obtained. The coagulants are readily available, biodegradable, therefore more environmental friendly. The use of the coagulants for the treatment of sludge can be so recommended.