Kinetic Modelling and Performance Evaluation of Secondary Wastewater Treatment for IOCL Effluent

IJEP 46(7): 672-679 : Vol. 46 Issue 7 (July 2026)

Full Text

Ananta J. Bhende and Hiren B. Soni*

Charutar Vidya Mandal University, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Technology for Advanced Studies and Research, Vallabh Vidyanagar – 388 120, Gujarat, India

Abstract

This study presents kinetic modelling and performance assessment of a secondary wastewater treatment process treating effluent from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) refinery. The treatment train consisted of several units operating in sequence. These were the tilted plate interceptor, dissolved air flotation, bio-tower, aeration tank, clarifier A/B and high-rate solid contact clarifier. To evaluate treatment performance, we closely monitored chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) concentrations at all stages. Using Monod-type growth models and non-linear regression analysis, we estimated the following kinetic parameters: a maximum specific growth rate (mmax) of 0.27 day-1, a substrate half-saturation constant (Ks) of 98 mg/L, a biomass yield coefficient (Y) of 0.39 kg-biomass/kg-COD removed and an endogenous decay coefficient (Kd) of 0.072 day-1. Mass balance modelling confirmed the kinetic findings by comparing actual COD removal with the anticipated biomass substrate consumption. The results showed that pollutants were removed effectively, with COD levels dropping from an average of 565.81 mg/L to 31.81 mg/L in the treated effluent and BOD levels consistently meeting regulatory standards. Statistical analysis via ANOVA validated substantial pollutant removal throughout treatment stages. Kinetic tests and a mass balance prove that the plant performs reliably; therefore, routine monitoring that includes kinetic tests allows operators to adjust the process and keeps the final discharge within legal limits for industrial wastewater.

Keywords

Wastewater treatment, Kinetic modelling, Monod kinetics, Biomass yield, Endogenous decay rate, COD and BOD removal, Mass balance analysis, Industrial effluent management

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