Modeling and optimization of treatment of milk industry wastewater using chitosan–zinc oxide nanocomposite

Abstract

The main objective of the present study was to investigate and optimize the operating parameters in synthesis of chitosan–zinc oxide nanocomposite (CZO) composite beads for the application in milk processing industry wastewater. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Individual and interactive effects of process parameters were studied using response surface methodology coupled with Box–Behnken design. The results showed that the optimized conditions were initial pH of 4.92, CZO composite dose of 1.5 g/L, contact time of 45 min, and amount of dilution of 12%. Under these conditions, 89% of turbidity and 97% of chemical oxygen demand were reduced.

Keywords:

• Milk industry wastewater
• Chitosan
• Zinc oxide
• Box–Behnken design
• Optimization