The Assessment of the Physiochemical Treatment Systems for Confectionary Industrial Wastewater

International Journal of Civil Engineering
© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal
Volume 12 Issue 3
Year of Publication : 2025
Authors : Omama Ahmed Hussein KAMALELDIN, Mohamed ElHosseiny EL-NADI, Mahmoud Mohammed ABDELMOMEN, Amira Mohamed NAGY
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Omama Ahmed Hussein KAMALELDIN, Mohamed ElHosseiny EL-NADI, Mahmoud Mohammed ABDELMOMEN, Amira Mohamed NAGY, "The Assessment of the Physiochemical Treatment Systems for Confectionary Industrial Wastewater," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 3, pp. 30-39, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I3P103

Abstract:

This study presents a comparative analysis of three physicochemical treatment units-Chemical Enhanced Sedimentation, Chemical Enhanced Flotation, and Chemical Enhanced Sand Filtration-designed for treating the highly polluted effluent from a sweets factory in the industrial zone of Cairo, Egypt. This effluent, characterized by high concentrations of sugars, organics, and suspended solids, poses significant challenges for meeting stringent national wastewater discharge standards. The treatment units were systematically evaluated using FeCl₃ at an optimal dose of 160 ppm, determined through jar testing of the target wastewater. The units were scaled to reflect the capacities of actual factory installations, ensuring practical relevance. Their performance was assessed based on the removal efficiencies of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Among the tested units, the Chemical Enhanced Sand Filtration unit demonstrated superior performance, achieving removal efficiencies of 90.7% for TDS, 31.2% for TSS, and 61.1% for COD. These results position the Sand Filtration unit as a promising solution for confectionery wastewater treatment, enabling compliance with environmental regulations and supporting potential water reuse applications such as cleaning, cooling, or irrigation. The findings offer a practical framework for similar industries seeking sustainable and efficient wastewater management solutions.

Keywords:

Chemical filtration, Chemical flotation, Chemical sedimentation, Sweets industry, Sweets industry sewage.

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