Unlocking the Potential of Lignocellulosic Waste: A Kinetic Modeling Approach for Bio-Coagulants in Sewage Water Treatment

This study explores the potential of lignocellulosic materials, specifically sugarcane bagasse (SB) and coconut fibers (CNW), as coagulants and flocculants for sewage water treatment in combination with alum. The main aim is to evaluate the efficacy of alum:SB and alum:CNW combinations in improving water quality parameters, such as turbidity, EC, pH, TSS, TDS, DO, BOD, and COD, using modified methods (primary and secondary treatment). The results of the water quality parameters show significant reductions in turbidity of 95.32% and 90.94% for sewage waters treated with alum:SB and alum:CNW, respectively, as well as notable reductions in TDS (70.58%, 60.78%), TSS (98.63%, 97.27%), BOD (76.51%, 51.13%), and COD (95.07%, 76.47%). Moreover, bio-coagulants such as alum, SB, CNW, alum:SB, and alum:CNW were characterized by FT-IR. In comparison to other coagulants, the alum:SB treated sewage water was found to be efficient and have excellent coagulation activity (90%). The turbidity removal by both lignomaterials conformed to the WHO and BIS acceptable limits for finished water quality. Therefore, the highest turbidity reduction was achieved in alum:SB>alum:CNW treated sewage water. Statistical analysis also confirmed the effectiveness of alum:SB, highlighting its potential as a feasible option for sewage water treatment through factor and correlation analysis. The MANOVA (p < 0.05) result indicates that both bio-coagulants were significantly different. This study emphasizes the potential and eco-friendly method of using lignocellulosic bio-coagulants for the treatment of municipal sewage water.