Maulida Zakia, F. Widhi Mahatmanti, Safna Rahma Wati, Berliana Putri Rahmalia, Wara Dyah Pita Rengga

Ultrafiltration Technology for Batik SME Wastewater Treatment: Column-Based Materials with Zippers for Plant Irrigation Water Supply

Introduction

Ultrafiltration technology for batik sme wastewater treatment: column-based materials with zippers for plant irrigation water supply. Treat batik wastewater using ultrafiltration & column materials with zippers. Reduce heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn), stabilize pH, and improve color, making water safe for plant irrigation.

Abstract

Textile batik wastewater discharged into drains can contaminate groundwater and harm ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on reducing hazardous heavy metals in sewage through physical and chemical filtration. Heavy metals in the wastewater can poison aquatic organisms, disrupt food chains, and contaminate water sources. The goal is to analyze the heavy metal content, pH, and colour of batik wastewater to make it safe for plant irrigation. The filtration process uses silica sand, activated carbon, and zeolite for mechanical filtration and ion exchange. Ultrafiltration is added to remove fine particles, heavy metals, and organic matter more effectively while resisting fouling. These materials are placed in zipper bags for easy replacement and regeneration. The wastewater passes through a filtration column consisting of two tanks: Tank 1 for fresh wastewater and sedimentation, and Tank 2 for overflow from Tank 1. Tests were conducted for Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn using AAS, pH with a universal pH meter, and colour through organoleptic analysis. Cr levels initially exceeded quality standards, while Cu, Pb, and Zn were within safe limits. After filtration, reductions of Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn were 81%, 8%, 22%, and 85%, respectively. The pH decreased from 10–11 to 7–8, and water color improved from murky greenish-brown to clearer. The results demonstrate the potential of ultrafiltration in reducing heavy metals, stabilizing pH, and improving water clarity. Wastewater treated through this process meets safety standards and can be used for plant irrigation.

Review

This study presents a practical and timely approach to treating batik textile wastewater, a significant environmental concern due to its heavy metal content and potential for ecosystem and human health impacts. The proposed technology combines physical and chemical filtration using silica sand, activated carbon, and zeolite, augmented by ultrafiltration, all within a column-based system featuring an innovative zipper bag design for easy media replacement. The abstract reports notable successes in reducing chromium (81%) and zinc (85%), alongside effectively stabilizing the highly alkaline pH of the raw wastewater to a near-neutral range (7-8) and improving water clarity. The focus on making the treated water safe for plant irrigation provides a tangible and beneficial application, particularly relevant for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, the abstract could benefit from more detailed methodological and results reporting to enhance its scientific rigor. For instance, the low reduction rates for copper (8%) and lead (22%) warrant further explanation, exploring potential limitations of the chosen filtration media or specific metal speciation. While pH and color improvement are reported, the "organoleptic analysis" for color is subjective; objective spectrophotometric measurements would provide more robust data. Crucially, the abstract omits essential experimental parameters such as filtration flow rates, column dimensions, ultrafiltration operating pressure, and the specific irrigation water quality standards referenced for heavy metals. A clearer delineation of the individual contributions of each filter component (sand, activated carbon, zeolite, and ultrafiltration) to the overall treatment efficacy would also strengthen the findings. Despite these areas for potential enhancement, the research offers a promising solution for localized wastewater treatment challenges. The practical design, particularly the zipper bag concept, suggests an accessible and maintainable system for smaller-scale operations. Future work should ideally include long-term performance evaluations, assessing membrane fouling rates, regeneration efficiency of the media, and a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to facilitate real-world adoption. Furthermore, direct experimental validation of the treated water's impact on plant growth, coupled with an expanded analysis of other critical parameters like COD and TDS, would solidify its claims as a sustainable and environmentally sound irrigation water source.

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