Modified tannins and their application in wastewater treatment

What is it about?

Nine natural flocculants were prepared by combining extracts and amines; these products were evaluated in three different wastewater samples in two experimental phases. the bio-flocculants acacia-ammonium chloride and quebracho-diethanolamine were the most efficient in the removal of turbidity (34–99%), true colour (93–100%) and total solids (12–99%). In addition, the natural flocculants showed low mutagenicity index (MI: 0.33–0.93) compared to aluminium sulphate (MI: 4.87–8.81).

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Why is it important?

We find that tannins from Acacia (Acacia mearnsii) and Quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) are the most suitable to reach a pilot scale study and, later, to be applied as primary treatment in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) especially in developing countries.