Decolorization of disperse and reactive dye solutions using ferric chloride

The composition of wastewater from dyeing and textile processes is highly variable depending on the dyestuff type; typically it has a high chemical oxygen demand. This study examined the decolorization of some of the most commonly used disperse and reactive dyestuffs by destabilization using ferric chloride as a coagulant. Dye removal, distributions of zeta potential, concentration of suspended solids, changes of the SCOD/TCOD ratio and distributions of SV and SVI values were investigated in this work. Compared to reactive dyes, disperse dyes have lower solubility, higher suspended solids concentrations and lower SCOD/TCOD ratios. It was concluded that disperse dye solutions are more easily decolorized by chemical coagulation than reactive dye solutions.