LAUSR

Abstract In this study a novel modified anaerobic sequential batch reactor (MASBR) was employed to treat the textile dyeing industry wastewater. The anaerobic sequential batch reactor (ASBR) was modified by the addition of a sorbent (ground nut shell powder) and plastic media. The start-up phase of the MASBR was observed over a period of 80 days. Statistical based experiments were performed in order to optimize the parameters viz., sorbent dosage and particle loading, and to study the interactive effects using response surface method (RSM). At the optimized conditions, experiments were performed at various organic loading rates by varying initial textile dye wastewater concentration and hydraulic retention time (HRT). The anaerobic biodegradation of textile dyeing wastewater in the MASBR was analyzed in terms of decolorization, COD reduction, biogas production, volatile fatty acids (VFA) at different organic loading rate (OLR) between 0.110 and 0.650 kgCOD/m3 d. A maximum decolorization of 94.8% and COD reduction of 97.1% were obtained in the MASBR. The novel sorbent utilized in the study was characterized using FTIR and SEM analysis.