Anionic Polyelectrolytes Synthesized in an Aromatic-Free-Oils Process for Application as Flocculants in Dairy-Industry-Effluent Treatment

The wastewater generated from many industries contains suspended and dissolved solids, including organic and inorganic particles, metals and other impurities. Direct flocculation is regularly used to neutralize the charge of the colloidal particles and bridge the destabilized particles together to form flocs, in a cost and time-effective way. This work refers to the development of new anionic flocculants (co and ter-polymers) tailored to be used in dairy effluents treatment, using a synthesis process in which new oil phases free of aromatics are applied. Regarding the ter-polymers, anionic polyacrylamides were synthesized in the presence of three different hydrophobic monomers, at different concentrations. Flocculation performance was evaluated using an effluent from dairy industry. Results show that the developed polyelectrolytes are very promising additives for the treatment of the mentioned effluent. For optimized conditions, 95% turbidity reduction, 44% COD removal and 57% total solids removal were ac...