Use of polymers and a surfactant in the treatment of Kraft process wastewater

Abstract

This study-investigated the use of cationic polymers, and a surfactant, EHDABr, in the color removal treatment of Kraft pulp and paper wastewater. Four polymers were evaluated for their color removal performance by jar test procedures. The polymers removed between 77 and 87% of the wastewater color. The affect of pH upon polymer performance varied with the polymer tested. Powdered activated carbon addition improved the performance of the polymers. The color removal ability of EHDABr was evaluated by jar test, and by continuous-flow foam flotation.. EHDABr removed 77% of the wastewater color by jar test and was relatively unaffected by pH variation. The addition of powdered activated carbon improved EHDABr performance in jar tests. EHDABr removed 90% of the wastewater color by continuous-flow, foam flotation. Color bodies were precipitated in the foaming system before being removed by flotation. Total suspended solids removal improved with increasing column detention time.