Application of a Multi-Parameter-based Water Quality Index Analysis for Monitoring Fishery Industry Wastewater Treatment using Bamboo Activated Carbon – A Control Chart Approach

Abstract

Bamboo activated carbon (BAC) was prepared and used for wastewater treatment. Its adsorption capability was investigated using control charts. The fishery industry wastewater in Jeli was sampled for 45 days. The adsorbent, i.e., 45 μm BAC was prepared through the pyrolysis process with chemical-physical activations at 600 °C for 6 hours. The BAC was mixed thoroughly with the fishery industry wastewater, and the mixture was then separated by filtration. The effectiveness of wastewater treatment by BAC was determined using the water quality index (WQI), and the BAC adsorption process was monitored using the Shewhart individual and moving average (MA) charts. The charts’ performance in detecting off-target processes present in the BAC wastewater treatment process was also determined. The WQI was shown to improve significantly after BAC treatment, with all values exceeding 60, surpassing the water pollution index threshold (≤ 60) set by Malaysia Department of Environment (DOE). The Shewhart individual and MA charts were able to detect the out-of-control condition(s). By comparison, the Shewhart individual chart demonstrated a preferable performance. This work paves the way for quality practitioners to properly utilize control charts to produce a more efficient wastewater treatment approach using BAC and to acquire statistical quality control.