The Performance of Okra seed (Hibiscus esculentus L.) Extract in Removal of Suspended Particles from Brewery Effluent by Coag-Flocculation Process
Bernard Ibezim Okolo
Department of Chemical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
Matthew Chukwudi Menkiti *
Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Patrick Chukwudi Nnaji
Department of Chemical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli
Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Chizoba Chinelo Agu
Centre for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This work investigated the performance of Okra seed (Hibiscus esculentus L.) extract in removal of suspended dissolved particles from brewery effluent by coag-flocculation process at room temperature using various doses of okra seed extract. The study was carried out using nephelometric jar test. The perikinetic data generated were fitted to specific models for the determination of reaction order, rate constant, coagulation period. The maximum coag-flocculation performance is recorded at rate constant, Km of 3.6×10-3 L (mg.min)-1, dosage of 100 mg L-1; pH of 6 and coagulation period of 0.38 min while the minimum is recorded at Km of 2.95×10-5L (mg.min)-1, dosage of 500 mg L-1 , pH of 10 and period of 93 min. The optimum efficiency recorded at 92.6% for 30 min shows that the system is perikinetic controlled. The results indicate that okra extract can serve as a potential coagulant for the treatment of brewery effluent.
Keywords: Okra seed, brewery effluent, coag-flocculation;, suspended dissolved particles, perikinetics