LAUSR

Distillery spent wash (DSW) is an extremely cumbersome and recalcitrant effluent. The present technologies are implemented for the industry to remove certain pollutants like chemical oxygen demand and color, to safe and acceptable limits for final disposal into surface water or on land and to meet the requirements of regulatory standards. In view of this above condition various methods such as Electrochemical (EC) and ozone-assisted EC processes are implemented. Pair of aluminum (Al–Al) electrodes are more effective than other electrodes such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and graphite (Gr). Pair of Al–Al electrodes eliminate the chemical oxygen demand by 54.45% and color by 52.35%. Punched Al–Al electrodes minimize the chemical oxygen demand by 61.75% and color by 58.45%, respectively. Continuous electrochemical process reduces the chemical oxygen demand by 94.88% and color by 78.65%, respectively. Ozone-assisted electrochemical process using conventional plain electrodes removes chemical oxygen demand by 72% and color by 92%, respectively. Ozone-assisted punched electrodes enhance the degradation rate of chemical oxygen demand and color by 87.2% and 92%, respectively. Continuous ozone-assisted EC process with punched electrode removes chemical oxygen demand and color by 97.27% and 98.72%, respectively. Ozone-assisted EC was found more beneficial as compared to conventional plain EC. A pilot plant is designed to treat the intensive, recalcitrant, caramelized distillery spent wash, hence augmenting with ozone assisted EC method helps in achieving the desired satisfactory result.