Efficient Treatment for Brassware Effluent in a Pilot-Scale using the Combination of Sequencing Batch Reactor and Physical System by Fly Ash: Optimized Process

This paper aimed to treat industrial effluent from the brassware in Fez, on pilot-scale for the first time in the world. The study employed a two-step coupled treatment approach, involving biological treatment, using a Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) and physical treatment with a filtration column packed with Fly Ash (FA). The SBR demonstrated significant reductions, despite the toxic nature of our effluent, classified as difficult biodegradable. The abatements achieved are 86%, 72% and 42% for total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate and chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively. A high reduction in heavy metals, with percentages of 50, 45 and 36% for Nickel, Copper and Silver respectively. As regards microbiological pollution, the abatement rate was 69%. However, some parameters did not meet Moroccan discharge standards. Physical treatment, as a second stage, with FA proved highly efficient, achieving abatement rates of 100% for TSS, nitrogen pollutants and PO4, and substantial reductions in COD, biological oxygen demand (BOD5), heavy metals and faecal pollution. The effectiveness of this material is enhanced by its structural and chemical properties, contributing to pollutant removal performance. The integrated biological and physical treatment approach successfully mitigated the environmental and health risks associated with the industrial effluent, underlining the importance of comprehensive wastewater treatment strategies.