ABSTRACT
This chapter presents innovative processes for the treatment of industrial wastewaters using biopolymer and biocomposite materials and different types of reactors for the reduction of toxicity and for technology-based treatment standards. It reviews different types of wastewaters, sources of industrial discharge, and effects of industrial discharge on the environment. Physical treatments such as screening, filtration, and sedimentation are also known as primary treatments, which are the earliest methods used to remove debris and solids from wastewater. The most common types of reactors used in wastewater treatment are complete mixed reactors (CMRs), mixed plug flow reactors (MPFRs), covered lagoon (CL), plug flow reactors (PFRs), upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), fixed film anaerobic digester, and sequential reactors. Treatment methods must be chosen according to the wastewater concentration. Biopolymers such as chitosan and alginates are best for coagulation, flocculation, and adsorption of heavy metals.
