Decolourization of pulp and paper mill effluent using polyvinyl chloride

Abstract

Decolourization of pulp and paper mill wastewater better known as black liquor using low cost adsorbents is under investigation over the years. Colour of the black liquor is aesthetically harmful to the environment as it contains certain toxic and xenobiotic compounds. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is water insoluble, low crystalline polymer and cost friendly. Alkalies and acids present in wastewater do not affect the basic structure of this linear macromolecule. Physicochemical method for decolourization was adopted for process simplification. Contact-time, effect of dosages, adsorption dynamics and adsorption isotherms were few parameters examined for the study. Moderate to fair results were obtained rendering PVC as a substitute to some high-cost polymers used as adsorbents. The probable interactions between chromophoric components of black liquor and PVC has been discussed.