African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (18), pp. 1678-1683, 18 September 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Treatment of textile sludge using anaerobic technology

ASIA, I. O.^1*, OLADOJA, N. A.² and BAMUZA-PEMU, E. E.¹

¹Department of Chemistry, Ambrose Alli University, P. M. B. 14 Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University Akugba, Ondo State Nigeria.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: imoasia2000@yahoo.com. Tel: 08056412106.

Accepted 31 May, 2006

Composite samples of sludge obtained from a textile factory were characterized for their pollution characteristics using some parameters of interest; pH, solids concentration, oxygen demand, nitrogen, phosphorus, total bacteria counts etc. The analysis revealed that the sludge has high pollution potentials and therefore needed treatment before disposal to the environment. The ratio of chemical oxygen demand, (COD) to that of biochemical oxygen demand, (BOD) was 3.08; meaning the sludge has high substrate biodegradability. Samples were subjected to mesophilic anaerobic treatment at the temperature of 35±2°C. The method achieved solids reduction of 61% total solids, 68% settleable solids and 51% volatile solids and a total bacteria reduction of 99.99%. The reduction in BOD and COD were 89% each. Nitrate and phosphate were found to reduce substantially thereby preventing eutrophication due to undesirable nutrients. The anaerobic treatment was found to have an additional benefit of producing biogas (methane and carbon (IV) oxide) which if harnessed may be used as fuel.

Key words: Textile, mesophilic anaerobic treatment, pollution, digestion, eutrphication, sludge.