Use of Biomass for Removing Wastewater Turbidity: Characterization and Optimization Study

In the present study, a commercially available mushroom is used as a natural flocculent at different dosages to treat a synthetic suspension containing different concentrations of local clay. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the values of operating parameters based on residual turbidity and percent turbidity reduction. The highest percent reduction in water turbidity was obtained at a pH of 6.7. The lowest value for residual turbidity (11.1 NTU) is achieved by a clay suspension with a concentration of 1000 ppm, and the highest value for residual turbidity (22 NTU) is achieved by a clay suspension with a concentration of 6000 ppm. The optimum values of mushroom dose were 0.2 and 0.1 g for clay concentrations of 4000 and 5000 ppm, respectively, for a time of 120 min. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the values of the operating parameters and the results of the model fitted well with the experimental results.