Cement Kiln Dust Based Low-Cost Adsorbents for COD Removal From Domestic Wastewater

Abstract

Wastewater contains a variety of physical, chemical, and biological impurities that must be effectively removed to ensure safe disposal or reuse. One widely employed chemical method in water and wastewater treatment is the coagulation-flocculation process, which plays a crucial role in eliminating colloidal and fine suspended solids. Traditionally, both synthetic and natural coagulants have been used in such treatments; however, increasing focus on sustainable and cost-effective solutions has led researchers to explore alternative materials. Cement kiln dust (CKD), a byproduct of cement manufacturing, is typically considered an industrial waste and poses significant disposal challenges. Numerous studies in the literature have demonstrated the potential of CKD as a coagulant for treating various industrial effluents due to its chemical composition. This study investigates the application of cement kiln dust in the coagulation-flocculation treatment of domestic wastewater. The experimental analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CKD in reducing key effluent parameters such as pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The results of this study could contribute to the development of a low-cost and eco-friendly treatment method for domestic wastewater, while simultaneously addressing the disposal issue of CKD from cement industries.

Introduction

The text discusses coagulation as an essential process in wastewater treatment used to remove fine particles and pollutants that cannot be eliminated through simple filtration or sedimentation. Traditional coagulants like alum and ferric salts are effective but have drawbacks such as high cost, sludge generation, and environmental concerns. To address these issues, the study explores the use of Cement Kiln Dust (CKD), an industrial by-product rich in calcium compounds, as a low-cost and eco-friendly alternative coagulant.

CKD has strong alkaline properties that help neutralize wastewater and promote the formation of dense flocs, improving pollutant removal. Its reuse also supports sustainable waste management and circular economy practices. The study reviews previous research showing CKD’s high efficiency in removing contaminants like heavy metals, BOD, COD, TSS, and turbidity, often performing comparably to conventional coagulants.

The proposed methodology involves collecting CKD and wastewater samples, analyzing their properties, and conducting jar test experiments to determine optimal CKD dosage. Advanced techniques like SEM and EDX are used to study CKD’s structure and composition, confirming its suitability for treatment applications.

Experimental results show that CKD significantly reduces pollution levels in wastewater, with optimal dosages achieving high removal efficiencies while meeting regulatory standards. The findings conclude that CKD is a cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient alternative for wastewater treatment, offering both environmental and economic benefits.

Conclusion

1) Optimum Dosage for Maximum Efficiency: Based on the experimental analysis conducted in this study, it was found that the maximum removal efficiency of key effluent characteristics such as BOD, COD, TSS, and TDS was achieved when the dosage of Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) ranged between 2.5 to 3.0 g/l. This dosage range provided the most effective balance between pollutant reduction and chemical usage, making it a practical choice for treatment applications. 2) Removal Efficiency Range: The study demonstrated that the removal efficiencies of effluents ranged between 30% and 70% depending on the dosage and the pollutant type. CKD showed significant potential in removing BOD and COD, while also contributing moderately to the reduction of TSS and TDS. This indicates that CKD can act as a reliable and effective coagulant in wastewater treatment processes. 3) Suitability for Irrigation Use: After treatment with CKD, the water quality of the effluent was found to be within the permissible limits prescribed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) for discharge on land for irrigation purposes. The treated water exhibited acceptable pH levels and reduced pollutant loads, indicating that it can be safely reused for agricultural irrigation, thereby promoting wastewater reuse and sustainable water management practices. 4) Need for Additional Treatment Stages: While the coagulation–flocculation process using CKD showed considerable improvement in effluent quality, the results also indicate that further advanced treatment processes (such as filtration, disinfection, or biological treatments) may be required for complete treatment, especially if the water is to be reused for more sensitive applications such as domestic or industrial use. 5) Potential for Low-Cost Wastewater Treatment: The use of Cement Kiln Dust, which is an industrial by-product, offers an economically viable and environmentally sustainable solution for wastewater treatment. Its availability, low cost, and satisfactory performance in pollutant removal make it a promising material for large-scale and decentralized wastewater treatment, especially in developing regions. The study supports the idea of reusing CKD, thus promoting circular economy principles and reducing environmental waste from the cement industry.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Miss. Pooja Kamthe, Miss. Harshada B. Akotkar, Miss. Madhuri T. Nagdeve. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.