Multi-Kinetic Modelling and Process Performance of a Lab-Scale Modified Rotating Biological Contactor Used as a Post-Treatment for Pre-Treated Synthetic Wastewater of Auramine O Dye

IJEP 46(2): 112-123 : Vol. 46 Issue. 2 (February 2026)

Full Text

Khyati K. Modi1 and Kaushik Nath2*

1. Government Engineering College, Department of Environmental Engineering, Valsad – 396 001, Gujarat, India
2. G.H. Patel College of Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Vallabh Vidyanagar – 388 120, Gujarat, India

Abstract

The operating efficiency of a lab-scale modified rotating biological contactor (MRBC) in treating pre-treated synthetic Auramine O dye solutions at various dye concentrations (500, 700, 900 and 1100 ppm) is examined in this study. The highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency observed was 96.88% at 900 ppm of concentrated wastewater using MRBC. The effluent’s COD level after a 10-day treatment was 20 mg/L, significantly below the Indian national effluent discharge standards. To determine the COD reduction and biodegradation kinetic parameters for the MRBC, three kinetic models—Hudson, Monod and Stover-Kin Cannon—were analyzed. The correlation coefficients (R2) obtained from these models at the different dye concentrations indicate that Hudson and Monod models best fit the data for the MRBC system. These models were employed to biodegrade the pre-treated synthetic Auramine O dye solution, making it environmentally safe for discharge. Experimental results demonstrate that MRBC is more effective than conventional RBC systems in treating wastewater with high levels of organic contaminants.

Keywords

Chemical oxygen demand, Hudson model, Monod model, Stover-Kin Cannon model, Rotating biological contactor, Wastewater

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