Design and Simulation of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Incorporating Advanced Oxidation Processes for Industrial Effluents

Karthik Narayanan, Dr. Priya Sharma

Department of Civil Engineering, PRMIT&R, Badnera

1. Abstract

Industrialization has led to a substantial rise in the production of complex wastewater, which includes toxic organic substances, heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and persistent pollutants. Traditional wastewater treatment methods, such as primary sedimentation, biological oxidation, and secondary clarification, often fall short in eliminating stubborn and non-biodegradable contaminants. As a result, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have become a potent and effective tertiary treatment approach for breaking down and mineralizing these persistent pollutants. This research article details the design and simulation of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that incorporates advanced oxidation processes to treat industrial effluents. The study emphasizes the integration of physicochemical and biological treatment units with AOP-based tertiary treatment to boost pollutant removal efficiency, lower Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and meet environmental discharge standards. The methodology includes the conceptual design, mathematical modeling, and simulation of the treatment plant using reaction kinetics and mass balance principles. The system design encompasses preliminary treatment, primary sedimentation, biological oxidation, secondary clarification, and an AOP reactor (Photo-Fenton or UV/H₂O₂). Process simulations assess pollutant degradation kinetics, reactor performance, hydraulic retention time, and energy consumption. The findings reveal that incorporating AOP significantly enhances COD removal (>90%), improves biodegradability, and ensures effective mineralization of persistent contaminants. The study also examines operational parameters, cost implications, and sustainability aspects. The proposed integrated design illustrates that AOP-based tertiary treatment offers superior removal of refractory pollutants and emerging contaminants compared to conventional methods alone. Simulation results confirm the practicality of implementing hybrid treatment systems for industrial wastewater. The research concludes that integrating advanced oxidation processes into wastewater treatment plant design ensures enhanced environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and sustainable industrial wastewater management.

2. Keywords

Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP); Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP); Industrial Effluents; Process Simulation; Photo-Fenton; UV/H₂O₂; COD Removal; Reactor Design; Environmental Engineering; Process Optimization.