Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

ScienceDirect
Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297

International Conference on Solid Waste Management, 5IconSWM 2015

Recycling Of Waste Water Collected From Automobile Service

Station
M.N. Ashaa,*, K.S. Chandanb, H. P. Harishb, S. NikhileswarReddyb, K. S. Sharathb,
G. Mini Lizac*
a
Associate Professor, CMRIT, Bangalore, India
b
BE Student, CMRIT, Bangalore, India
c
Former Assistant Professor, CMRIT, Bangalore, India

Abstract

This paper compares the effectiveness of chemical and physical methods in treating the wash water collected from
automobile service stations. Wash water was collected from two service stations in the city of Bangalore, and the effluent was
characterised for different parameters such as pH, turbidity, conductivity, total solids, oil and grease, COD (chemical oxygen
demand), BOD (biological oxygen demand), chlorides, sulphate and total hardness. For chemical treatment, alum was used and
locally available natural materials such as saw dust and sugarcane bagasse were used for physical treatment. Alum at different
concentrations was agitated with the effluent for a prescribed contact period which led to the formation of flocs. The filtered
samples were tested for COD and oil & grease. in the form of filter columns of three different heights. The percentage reduction
in COD and oil and grease was correlated with the depth and type of filter media. A comparison of physical and chemical
methods of treatment revealed that natural materials are effective in removing oil & grease and COD from the automobile
effluent and hence provide a viable solution because of its eco-friendliness. From the experimental studies it is observed that in
physical treatment, the sorption capacity of any material is dependent on its porosity, surface area and height of filter bed.
©©2016
2016Published
The Authors. Published
by Elsevier by Elsevier
B.V. This B.V.
is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of 5IconSWM 2015.
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of 5IconSWM 2015
Keywords: Alum, Saw dust, Sugarcane bagasse, COD, Oil and grease;

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: asha.n@cmrit.ac.in

1878-0296 © 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of 5IconSWM 2015
doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.009
290 M.N. Asha et al. / Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297

1.0 Introduction

Growth of urban population has increased the demand for fresh water sources andits rapid depletion has been a
concern to ecologists.Rapid urbanisation has led to the hasty growth of automobile industry in urban areas and this
has necessitated the need to have automobile service centres at regular intervals. Automobile service stations range
from authorised service centres to small scale service stations, which undertake repair, washing and servicing of
vehicles. According to the reports provided by International Car Wash Association, a home car wash can go
through 80 to 140 gallons (300 to 530 litres) of water, whereas a wash at one of the garages will take about 30 to 45
gallons (115 to 170 litres),and after the wash of vehicles, some water will also be used to wash floors and washing
equipment’s. Lot of water is wasted daily for the vehicle washing and servicing. This wash water containspaint, oil
andgrease, detergents, phosphates, hydrofluoric acid,ammonium bifluoride products and heavy metals. Fakhru’l-
Raziet.al. (2009) have given an overview of physical, chemical, biological and membrane treatment for waste water
treatment. From the review it is reported that two or more methods may be used in series for effective water
treatment and the selection of technology is decided based on the use of treated water.

According to Gregory (2006) coagulation-flocculation process involves two basic steps: (i) Destabilisation of
stabilised colloid on addition of coagulant (ii) Collision of particles to form aggregates and this methodology is
presented in Fig. 1. From the comparative studies undertaken by (Mazumderand Mukherjee, 2011) it was observed
that chemical coagulation by alum, alum along with bentonite powder, ferrous sulphate and calcium chloride in
presence of bentonite powder may be practiced for complete removal of oil and grease. Biological treatment of such
waste waters using activated sludge resulted only in 18 – 68% removal efficiency under a batch period of 18 – 30
hours. The main concern here is the fact that not all the service stations practice the use of treating this waste water
before releasing them into the drains which may further damage the environment due to the harmful components
present in them.

Fig. 1. Principle of coagulation-flocculation as given by Gregory (2006)

From the investigations carried out by Ilemobayo and Kolade (2008) it was observed that the top 60 cm of the
soil collected from automobile workshops had high concentrations of heavy metals. Therefore, the workshops
should be cemented and proper drainage should be used for oils, lubricants, and spilled gasoline. Wahiet.al. (2013)
has highlighted the adsorption efficiency of natural sorbents like kapok fibre and populous seed in removing oil and
grease and is dependent on different factors such assorbent particle size, sorbent surface area, sorbent bed height,
flow rate, initial concentration, pH, temperature and contact time. The principle of adsorption as given by them is
presented in Fig. 2 and the functional groups such as O-H, C==O and C-O is responsible for oil adsorption.

Patel et.al. (2013) have reported that organoclay treatment was effective for turbidity reduction and oil and
grease removal when compared to alum treatment. Baddoret.al. (2014) have used bentonite for the removal of
surface active substances, residuals of oil and grease, total dissolved solids and COD from car wash stations using
the principle of adsorption.
 M.N. Asha et al. / Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297 291

2.0 Objective and Methodology

From the literature it is observed that physical, chemical and biological methods of waste water treatment are
widely used by researchers. In line with literature the following objectives are arrived at.

1) Characterization of waste water for different parameters

2) Compare the effectiveness of physical and chemical methods of treatment in reducing COD and oil and grease.

To achieve the above objectives the following methodology is followed:

1) Identification of source of effluent and its collection.

2) Characterisation of the effluent for different parameters such as pH, turbidity, conductivity, total solids, oil and
grease, COD (chemical oxygen demand), BOD (biological oxygen demand), chlorides, sulphate and total
hardness.
3) Identify the optimum dosage of alum for effective removal of COD and oil and grease.
4) Development of framework for filter bed
5) Use of locally available materials for development of filter bed and compare the effectiveness of different filter
media in removing COD and oil and grease.
6) Compare the effectiveness of physical and chemical method in treating effluent from service station.

Fig. 2. Principle of adsorption as given by Wahiet.al. (2013)

3.0 Sample Collection and Characterization

The present study was conducted in the city of Bangalore. For the study, two authorized service stations were
identified viz., A and B which were involved in washing, servicing, and maintenance of vehicles. Though all
maintenance and repair works were done in the service stations, the primary contribution for the automobile effluent
was vehicle washing. Service station A was indulged in both 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler servicing whereas service
station B was involved only in 4-wheeler washing. No separate sump systems were provided in both the service
stations; instead they were directly linked to drainage systems. Hence, for the study, to get random samples of
service station effluent, a 25 litre can was placed in the outlet of the service station. Photograph of the samples
collected for the studies is shown in Figure 3.
292 M.N. Asha et al. / Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297

Fig. 3. Photograph of the samples collected

Characterization tests were performed on the automobile effluent and the different parameters determined are
pH, total and dissolved solids, turbidity, conductivity, chlorides, sulphates, total hardness, oil and grease, COD and
BOD as per IS codes. The different test results are compared with General Standards for Discharge of
Environmental Pollutants specified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 1986 and are summarized in Table
1. From the characterization results it is observed that though both samples are alkaline, Sample B is not only
highly turbid but also has higher values of all the physical characteristicswith respect to Sample A. . Among all the
characteristics oil and grease is very high when compared to the standards as specified by CPCB.

4.0 Treatment Methods

In the present study, both physical and chemical method of treatment areconsidered for treating automobile
effluent. Among the various characteristics, effectiveness of different treatment methods in reducing COD and oil
and grease are analysed and compared. The consideration of these two characteristics is in conjunction with the
literature (Mazumder and Mukherjee, 2011). For physical treatment, principle of adsorption and gravimetric method
is used in combination, whereas in chemical treatment, alum is used. In physical treatment, the suitability of natural
materials like saw dust and sugarcane bagasse in removing COD and oil and grease is studied. The different
materials used for the treatment are shown in Fig.4. The detailed treatment procedure is summarised in the
subsequent sections.

Table 1: Characterisation Results for Sample A and Sample B

General Standards for Discharge to

Sl
Parameters Sample A Sample B Inland surface Public Land for
No
water Sewers irrigation
1 pH value. 7.49 7.86 5.5-9 5.5-9 5.5-9
Total Suspended Solids,
2 95.00 260.00 100 600 200
mg/L.
3 Turbidity. 56.30 NTU 195.00 NTU ** ** **
4 Conductivity, ȝs/Cm. 1386.00 1536.00 ** ** **
Total Dissolved Solids,
5 970.00 1020.00 2100 2100 2100
mg/L.
6 Chlorides, mg/l. 175.23 234.10 1000 1000 600

7 Sulphates, mg/l. 59.32 68.23 1000 1000 1000

8 Oil and Grease, mg/l. 135.00 190.00 10 20 10
 M.N. Asha et al. / Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297 293

9 COD, mg/L, max. 176.23 246.00 250 --- ---

BOD for 5days(*5days
10 at 20oC). 32.50 52.50 30* 350* 100*
Total Hardness as CaCO3,
11 314.00 356.10 ** ** **
mg/L.
** Not specified in the standards

Fig. 4. Different materials used for the treatment

4.1 Physical Treatment Methods

Filter beds of size 50 mm × 50 mm were prepared for three different heights of filter media viz., 3 cm, 6 cm and
9 cm using the natural materials such as saw dust and sugarcane bagasse. Both the materials were dried completely
in sunshine before performing the test. The filter bed was created within a wooden box and to prevent the bed from
falling down a plastic net was placed at the bottom of the box. Photograph of the filter bed used for the physical
treatment is presented in Fig.5. The quantity of the adsorbent used in preparing the filter beds are summarised in
Table 2. From the table it is observed that for a given volume, voids are more in saw dust and since the size is small,
a large surface area will also be exposed. The effluent was poured through the filter media and the clear filtrate was
tested for COD and oil & grease. For the physical treatment, care was taken to sieve the filter media through 2 mm
sieve so as to remove the dust particles.

4.2 Chemical Treatment Method

Chemical treatment of the automobile effluent was carried out using alum. From the research studies reported by
Mazumder and Mukherjee (2011) it is observed that alum concentrations of 100 mg/L to 200 mg/L were effective
for low concentration of oil andgrease (up to 300 mg/L). Hence, for the present study, the alum concentrations used
in the experiments were 100 mg/L, 125, 150, 175, 200 mg/L and the contact period was maintained as 30 minutes.

5.0 Results and Discussions

This section compares the effectiveness of different methods of treatment in removing COD and oil and grease
from the automobile effluent.

Table 2: Quantity of saw dust and sugarcane bagasse used for the preparation of filter beds

Height of
Empty mass of Mass of mould+ Mass of sugarcane Mass of Saw
filter bed, Mass of mould+Sugarcanebagasse(gm)
mould(gm) Saw dust (gm) bagasse(gm) dust (gm)
cm
3 198.15 199.148 198.744 0.998 0.594
6 198.50 200.146 199.688 1.996 1.188
9 198.35 201.144 200.132 2.994 1.782
294 M.N. Asha et al. / Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297

Fig. 5. Photograph of (a) Mould used (b) Filter bed used for the physical treatment and (c) Effluent filtered through the filter bed

5.1 Effect of Chemical Treatment using Alum

Addition of alum to the effluent and its agitation using flocculate or results in the formation of flocs. During the
process, the sample had a pH of 7.2-7.5. The flocs are removed by filtration and COD and oil &grease are estimated
for the filtrate. Table 3 presents the percentage removal of these parameters from the filtrate. From the table it is
evident that when the dosage of alum is increased, the percentage removal of COD and oil &grease has also
increased and the percentage removal was similar to that achieved byMazumder and Mukherjee (2011).

5.2 Effect of Physical Treatment using Sugarcane Bagasse and Saw Dust

The effectiveness of the natural materials in removing COD and oil & grease for different filter or column
heads of the materials are presented in Table 4 and Table 5. From the table it is evident that both sugarcane bagasse
and saw dust are effective in removal and the effectiveness are almost on par with each other. Many a time, saw dust
was effective in removing both COD and oil & grease. This could be due to the increase in the area of adsorption as
provided by saw dust over sugarcane bagasse. For the given volume, saw dust have smaller size, hence increased
area of adsorption. A similar trend is observed in the removal of oil and grease also as presented in Table 5.
 M.N. Asha et al. / Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297 295

Table 3: Percentage removal of COD and Oil &grease removal from Sample A and Sample B on treatment with alum

Concentration of Oil and

Coagulant Concentration of COD, mg/L
Sample % Removal grease, mg/L % Removal
Dose (mg/L)
Initial Residual Initial Residual
100 152.00 13.74 21 84.44
125 123.00 30.20 19 85.92
A 150 176.23 99.20 43.70 135.00 15 88.88
175 64.00 63.68 11 91.85
200 27.20 84.56 9 93.33
100 139.20 43.41 35 81.57
125 126.40 48.61 27 85.78
B 150 246.00 110.46 55.09 190.00 21 88.94
175 81.60 66.82 17 91.05
200 62.40 74.63 12 93.68

Table 4: Comparison on Percentage removal of COD by Sugarcane Bagasse and Saw Dust

Initial Concentration of Sugarcane Bagasse Saw Dust

Depth of filter
Sample COD, mg/L Residual COD, Residual COD,
bed, cm % Removal % Removal
mg/L mg/L
3 112.00 36.44 107.20 39.17
A 6 176.23 62.40 64.59 75.20 57.32
9 17.60 90.00 16.00 90.92
3 142.40 42.11 147.20 40.16
B 6 246.00 86.40 64.87 104.00 57.72
9 47.20 80.81 28.80 88.29

Table 5: Comparison on Percentage removal of Oil and grease removal by Sugarcane Bagasse and Saw Dust

Sugarcane Bagasse Saw Dust

Depth of filter Initial Concentration of
Sample Residual Oil & Residual Oil &
bed, cm Oil & grease, mg/L % Removal % Removal
grease, mg/L grease, mg/L
3 17 87.40 15 88.88
A 6 135.00 12.5 90.74 13 90.37
9 9.1 93.25 10 92.59
3 31 83.68 21 88.94
B 6 190.00 24 87.36 16 91.57
9 16 91.57 13 93.15

5.3 Comparison of the Study Results

From the experimental results an attempt is made to compare both the chemical and physical methods of
treatment. For physical methods of treatment, as the depth of the filter bed is increased, percentage removal is
higher. Hence for comparison, the percentage removal corresponding to a filter bed of height 9 cm is considered. As
seen in the Fig. 6, the natural materials have higher percentage removal of COD than chemical methods and eco-
friendly as well. For oil and grease removal, all the methods of treatment had almost same removal efficiency as
observed in Figure 7.

5.4 Field Application

The natural materials can be easily applied in the field for treating automobile effluent, which will facilitate the
reuse of the same or ensure its safe discharge to the sewers. A sump can be constructed for the collection of this
effluent and on top of the sump, a bed of this natural material can be maintained whose height ranges from 10-20
cm. This will ensure a fair removal of COD and oil &grease from the automobile effluent which enables the use of
treated water for washing.
296 M.N. Asha et al. / Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297

Fig. 6. Comparison of different methods of treatment in removing COD

Fig. 7. Comparison of different methods of treatment in removing COD

6.0 Summary

This paper presents the characterization and treatment methods adopted for treatment of automobile waste
water. COD and Oil & grease were taken as the crucial parameters in the automobile effluent. Use of chemical and
physical methods of treatment using sugarcane bagassse and saw dust for different column heights was explored.
From the data interpretation, the following conclusions were made:
 M.N. Asha et al. / Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016) 289 – 297 297

x Use of low-cost bio adsorbent could be fruitfully used for the removal of COD and Oil & grease over a wide
range of concentrations.
x Higher the alum concentration, higher was the percentage removal of oil and grease and COD.
x Higher the bed depth, higher was the efficiency of COD and oil &grease removal for both the natural method of
treatment.
x For natural methods, higher the specific area, higher was the percentage removal. Therefore, saw dust was more
effective than sugarcane bagasse.
x Bio adsorbents are locally available and hence involve no expenditure on transportation and have a very low
cost.

7.0 Scope for Future Study

The present work provides a relative comparison of the physical and chemical methods of treatment. A detailed
analysis using XRD and SEM will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the efficiency
of individual methodology which enables a better application to field situations.

References

1) Baddor, I. M., Farhoud, N., Mohammed, I., Abdel-Magid, D., Alshami, S., hassan Ahmad, F., Asaad, E. (2014) Study of Car Wash
Wastewater Treatment by Adsorption, Proc of International Conference of Engineering, Information Technology, and Science, 2014,
Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 22ppa.
2) Central Pollution Control Board, Pollution Control Acts, Rules, and Notifications, Fourth edition pp. 358-359. New Delhi, CPCB, Ministry
of Environment and Forests. 897 pp.
3) Fakhru’l-Razi A., Pendashteh, A., Abdullah, L. C., Biak, D. R. A., Madaeni, S. S., Abidin, Z. Z. (2009) Review of technologies for oil and
gas produced water treatment. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 170(2): 530-551.
4) Gregory, J.(2006) Particles in Water: Properties andProcesses. London: IWA Pub.: Boca Raton,CRC Press Taylor & Francis 2006.
5) Ilemobayo, O., Kolade, I. (2008). Profile of heavy metals from automobile workshops in Akure, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science
and Technology, 1(1):, 19-26.
6) Mazumder, D., Mukherjee, S. (2011) Treatment of automobile service station wastewater by coagulation and activated sludge process. Int J
Environ Sci Development, 2: 64-69.
7) Patel, H. A., Somani, R. S., Bajaj, H. C., & Jasra, R. V. (2006). Nanoclays for polymer nanocomposites, paints, inks, greases and cosmetics
formulations, drug delivery vehicle and waste water treatment. Bulletin of Materials Science, 29(2): 133-145.
8) Wahi, R., Chuah, L. A., Choong, T. S. Y., Ngaini, Z., Nourouzi, M. M. (2013) Oil removal from aqueous state by natural fibrous sorbent:
an overview. Separation and Purification Technology, 113: 51-63.