Pollution Reduction by Tamarind Kernel Powder on Dairy Industry Wastewater

The effectiveness of tamarind kernel powder, a cheap agro-based product, as a coagulant was evaluated to remove COD and TDS present in a dairy industry wastewater. Experiments were carried out by adding tamarind kernel powder to the dairy industry wastewater at different dosages, different rapid mixing contact time and slow mixing contact time. Maximum removal of 87.8 % and 91.5 % respectively for COD and TDS was obtained at an optimum dosage of 70 mg/l, 82.8 % and 87.7 % respectively for COD and TDS was obtained at an optimum rapid mixing contact time of 10 min. and 84.6 % and 89.4 % respectively for COD and TDS was obtained at an optimum slow mixing contact time of 30 min. Similarly, the maximum removal percentage obtained at an optimum tamarind kernel powder dosage, rapid mixing contact time and slow mixing contact time for COD and TDS in a dairy industry effluent by tamarind kernel powder is about 89.7 % and 92.3 % respectively. The results indicated that the use of tamarind kernel powder to remove COD and TDS present in a dairy industry wastewater seems to be an economical and worthwhile alternative over conventional methods.