Characterization of coke oven wastewater

During manufacture and processing of iron in iron and steel industry various wastewaters are generated, out of which the coke oven wastewater is contemplated to be the most toxic byproduct. Untreated discharge of coke oven wastewater to environment will increase the contamination and may threaten the flora and fauna. Physico-chemical characterization is required to assess the pollution level and to identify the treatment method. In the present research work, coke oven wastewater was collected from iron and steel plant and various physico-chemical characteristics were studied. The study found that concentrations of BOD₅ (73.13 mg/l), COD (540.25 mg/l) and cyanide (27.9 mg/l) exceeded the tolerance limit as per IS: 2490 effluent water standard (inland surface water). Biological treatment may supersede the conventional technologies for safe disposal to inland surface water.