Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC), Aluminium Sulfate, and Iron Sulfate in Livestock Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of chemical coagulation methods for treating livestock wastewater, a significant environmental concern due to the high levels of organic and inorganic pollutants it contains. The coagulants employed in this research include Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC), Aluminum Sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃·18H₂O), and Iron Sulfate (FeSO₄·7H₂O). Experimental results demonstrate that the treatment with PAC achieved the highest reduction in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), with values decreasing from an initial concentration of 1431.32 mg/L to 700.18 mg/L, corresponding to a removal efficiency of 77.38%. Similarly, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) values decreased from 1734.43 mg/L to 417.33 mg/L, achieving a removal efficiency of 75.68%. The Total Suspended Solids (TSS) also showed a significant reduction, reaching 112.02 mg/L after treatment, well below the regulatory limit of 150 mg/L as stipulated by QCVN 62-MT:2016/BTNMT. While Aluminum Sulfate and Iron Sulfate demonstrated some level of effectiveness, their results did not meet the regulatory standards, with residual COD, BOD₅, and TSS concentrations remaining above permissible limits. This study concludes that PAC is the most effective coagulant for livestock wastewater treatment, suggesting further optimization and potential application in agricultural settings to mitigate the environmental impact of livestock operations.