Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on Industrial Waste Water Effluents: A Case Study of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Industry

This paper assessed the composition of waste water effluent generated by a Petrochemical industry and a treatment system developed to improve the quality of the discharge water. Parameters as pH, COD, TSS chloride and lead ions were analysed and treated comparatively using hydrogen peroxide. At pH 8.0 post treatment analysis showed a COD – 96 mg/l TSS – 48 mg/l Cl – 798.75 mg/l and Pb²⁺ – 2 mg/l for treatment D where 40 g/l of alum was used on 30% solution of H₂O₂ compared to systems A-C. Process treatment included activated clay with sodium ion resin which at pH 6.8 had COD – 52 mg/l, TSS – 10 mg/l, Cl – 510 mg/l and Pb²⁺ – 0.070 mg/l. This system has an overall efficiency of 79.0% TSS, 45.83% COD, 97.5% Pb²⁺ and 36.1% Cl reduction. Characteristics obtained for the study has a higher efficiency compared with FEPA and WHO standard for similar industrial water treatment.