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Preparation of polyelectrolytes for wastewater treatment

Marilena T Radoiua, , , 

Diana I Martina, 

Ioan Calinescub, 

Horia Iovub

a National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Electron Accelerator Laboratory, P.O. Box MG-36 Magurele, Bucharest R76900, Romania

b Industrial Chemistry Faculty, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Calea Victoriei 149, Bucharest R71101, Romania

Received 14 April 2003, Revised 24 July 2003, Accepted 5 August 2003, Available online 15 October 2003

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2003.08.014

Abstract

Liquid-phase polymerisation of acrylamide-acrylic acid to form polyelectrolytes used in wastewater cleaning was examined using accelerated electron beam and microwave irradiation methods. Polymerisation was carried out in aqueous solutions at temperatures ∼60 °C. Monomers total concentration was established at 40% (36% acrylamide and 4% acrylic acid). Only using the features of simultaneous radiation–induction and microwave heating can result in the formation of linear polymer chains with good water solubility and low residual monomer concentration. The flocculation capacity of the obtained polymers was tested using two wastewaters, one sampled from a slaughterhouse and the other from a vegetable oil plant. Quality indicators such as total suspended matters (TSM), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and fat, oils and grease (FOG) were measured before and after the treatment with polymeric flocculants and compared with the results obtained in classical treatment with Al2(SO4)3. It was found that the combined treatment with polymers and Al2(SO4)3increases the degree of purification of both wastewaters up to 99%.

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