Optimization by the Response Surface Methodology of Turbidity, Box-Behnken Plan

Abstract

The work presented in this paper concerns the optimization of the turbidity of wastewater by the tannery, under the effects of factors that have significant impacts. The aim is to reduce the pollution caused by colored industrial waste from the tannery. This study is based on the application of the experimental design method, during the physicochemical treatment of colored industrial tanneries waste, from the city of Mohammedia. The modeling established by the method of experimental plans, makes it possible to analyze the turbidity more deeply by taking into account the various relevant factors governing it. The experiment plan method introduced is a homogeneous set of tools and algebra-statistical methods aimed at establishing and analyzing the relationships between the quantities studied (responses) and their sources of variation (factors). In this work, this analysis is a quantitative study: methodology of response surfaces (variation of responses depending on influencing factors). Its purpose is to determine a mathematical model, of the second order in order to characterize the turbidity (the response), which is expressed as a function of the factors (the concentration of ashes, the pH and flocculant). This modeling is deduced from the data obtained from a series of experiments. Optimizing the turbidity studied is a specific method of constructing response surfaces, based on the Box-Behnken plan. The validation of the theoretical model has been demonstrated by the experimental results.