| Abstract: | Bagasse-based paper mills in developing countries do not have sophisticated waste water treatment technology to combat water pollution released by these mills. This paper presents an overview of bagasse handling and sources of waste generation, the seriousness of pollution discharge, and treatment options available to tackle the waste water derived from bagasse-based paper mills. Extensive laboratory treatability studies indicate that anaerobic digestion for biogas generation is a viable method for handling bagasse-based paper mill wastes. The waste water was treated at an organic loading of 0.8 kg BOD m?3 day?1 and 1.6 kg COD m?3 day?1 and a detention time of 10 days, achieving 90% reduction in BOD and COD without supplementation of any nutrients. With a yield coefficient of 0.5, the average quantity of cells produced per day was calculated to be 1.683 kg day?1 or 0.25 kg cells produced kg?1 BOD removed. Intermittent checking on excess alkalinity in the anerobic system is necessary for achieving maximum treatment efficiency. |
