Characterization of Brewery and Pharmaceutical Industrial Wastewaters as Potential Substrates for Bioelectricity Generation
Authors: Akinwumi OD, Aremu MO, Agarry SE
DOI Info:
ABSTRACT
This work evaluates the physical, chemical, and microbial characterization of brewery wastewater (BWW) and pharmaceutical wastewater (PWW) obtained from brewery and pharmaceutical industries in Nigeria for the purpose of bioelectricity generation. Characterization of the wastewater samples was performed using standard methods. The BWW and PWW physical characterization are as follows: Colour [brownish and milky-white], Odour [offensive and offensive], pH [5.4 and 5.3], Temperature [31 and 31 oC], Turbidity [7.49 and 4.0 NTU], and Total Dissolved Solid [1170 and 320 mg/l]. The chemical characterization of BWW and PWW revealed the followings; BOD [865.23l and 1346.17 mg/l], COD [438.27 and 1025.01 mg/l], Chloride [13.66 and 68.91 mg/l], Nitrate [32.843 and 11.993 mg/l], Copper [4.092 and 0.648 mg/l], Zinc [0.027 and 11.023 mg/l], and Iron [198.36 and 2.019 mg/l]. These physical and chemical parameter values were found to be much greater than the maximum permissible limits specified by WHO. This shows that the brewery and pharmaceutical industries are contributing to the local surface water pollution. The microbial characterization revealed the presence of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus species, Proteus species, Klebsiella species, and Salmonella species in both wastewaters. The presence of these microorganisms which have been implicated in organic compound degradation and heavy metal bio-accumulation indicates that both BWW and PWW can serve as potential source of substrates for bioelectricity generation through their potential ability to undergo biodegradation when subjected to biological treatment. Therefore, there is a need to develop simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly remediation systems for the treatment of BWW and PWW and simultaneous bioelectricity generation for sustainable environmental and economic development.
Affiliations: Biochemical and Bioenvironmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Keywords: Bioelectricity, Brewery Wastewater, Pharmaceutical Wastewater, Physical And Chemical Parameters, Microorganisms
Published date: 2020/12/30
