CAPES / A indústria têxtil gera grande volume de efluente de elevada carga orgânica e coloração pela presença de corantes residuais. Devido às implicações ambientais causadas se têm buscado formas de remover esses compostos dos efluentes. O processo de adsorção é considerado eficiente na remoção de corantes dos efluentes e materiais de baixo custo tais como resíduos agroindustriais (e.g. bagaço de cana-de-açúcar) e industriais (e.g. resíduo de algodão dos teares ou pó de varredura – PV) normalmente modificados quimicamente se mostram como uma alternativa de tratamento. Foram inseridos grupamentos amino quaternário (DEAE+) e metil carboxílico (CM-) na estrutura celulósica do PV com o objetivo de gerar uma capacidade de troca nesta matriz inicialmente inerte e consolidar a capacidade de sequestro de corantes têxteis. As matrizes iônicas obtidas foram avaliadas em relação: pH do ponto de carga zero (pHpcz), eficiência da retenção de corantes têxteis em diferentes condições experimentais (e.g. concentração inicial, temperatura, tempo de contato) a fim de determinar os parâmetros cinéticos e termodinâmicos do processo de adsorção em batelada, biodegradabilidade das matrizes saturadas com corante, regeneração das matrizes e avaliação em amostras de efluente têxtil real. Foi observada alteração do pHpcz das matrizes CM--PV (6,07) e DEAE+-PV (9,66) em comparação ao material nativo (6,46), comprovando alteração na carga superficial total. As matrizes se mostraram eficientes para a remoção dos corantes têxteis avaliados nas condições experimentais. Os dados cinéticos do processo de adsorção se ajustaram melhor ao modelo de pseudosegunda ordem, sendo que o modelo de difusão intrapartícula sugere um processo multi-etapas. O tempo necessário para o sistema atingir o equilíbrio variou conforme a concentração inicial da solução de corante, sendo mais rápido em soluções mais diluídas. O modelo de isoterma de Langmuir se ajustou melhor aos dados experimentais. A capacidade máxima de adsorção variou de forma distinta para cada corante, estando relacionada à interação adsorvente/adsorvato e a estrutura química do corante. Poucos corantes obtiveram uma variação linear da constante de equilibro (ka) em função do inverso da temperatura e puderam ter seu comportamento termodinâmico avaliado. Destes, os corantes BR18:1 e AzL apresentaram características de um processo de adsorção endotérmico (ΔH° positivo), já o VmL de processo exotérmico (ΔH° negativo). Os valores de ΔG° sugerem que a adsorção ocorre de forma espontânea, exceto para o corante BY28, e os valores de ΔH° indicam que a adsorção se dá pelo processo de quimiossorção. Houve redução de 31 a 51% da biodegradabilidade das matrizes carregadas com os corantes. O ensaio de regeneração indicou que as matrizes podem ser reutilizadas pelo menos até cinco vezes sem perda de desempenho. A matriz DEAE+-PV mostrou-se eficiente para a remoção de coloração presente em efluente têxtil, atingindo uma redução da área espectral UV-Visível de até 93 % (proporção de 15 g da matriz por litro de efluente). A gama de matéria colorida removida por parte das matrizes variou de 40,27 a 98,65 mg g-1 de matriz ionizada, dependendo da estrutura. / The textile industry generates a large volume of high organic effluent loading whoseintense color arises from residual dyes. Due to the environmental implications caused by this category of contaminant there is a permanent search for methods to remove these compounds from industrial waste waters. The adsorption alternative is one of the most efficient ways for such a purpose of sequestering/remediation and the use of inexpensive materials such as agricultural residues (e.g., sugarcane bagasse) and cotton dust waste (CDW) from weaving in their natural or chemically modified forms. The inclusion of quaternary amino groups (DEAE+) and methylcarboxylic (CM-) in the CDW cellulosic structure generates an ion exchange capacity in these formerly inert matrix and, consequently, consolidates its ability for electrovalent adsorption of residual textile dyes. The obtained ionic matrices were evaluated for pHpcz, the retention efficiency for various textile dyes in different experimental conditions, such as initial concentration , temperature, contact time in order to determine the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of adsorption in batch, turning comprehensive how does occur the process, then understood from the respective isotherms. It was observed a change in the pHpcz for CM--CDW (6.07) and DEAE+-CDW (9.66) as compared to the native CDW (6.46), confirming changes in the total surface charge. The ionized matrices were effective for removing all evaluated pure or residual textile dyes under various tested experimental conditions. The kinetics of the adsorption process data had best fitted to the model a pseudosecond order and an intraparticle diffusion model suggested that the process takes place in more than one step. The time required for the system to reach equilibrium varied according to the initial concentration of dye, being faster in diluted solutions. The isotherm model of Langmuir was the best fit to the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity varied differently for each tested dye and it is closely related to the interaction adsorbent/adsorbate and dye chemical structure. Few dyes obtained a linear variation of the balance ka constant due to the inversion of temperature and might have influence form their thermodynamic behavior. Dyes that could be evaluated such as BR 18: 1 and AzL, showed features of an endothermic adsorption process (ΔH° positive) and the dye VmL presented exothermic process characteristics (ΔH° negative). ΔG° values suggested that adsorption occurred spontaneously, except for the BY 28 dye, and the values of ΔH° indicated that adsorption occurred by a chemisorption process. The reduction of 31 to 51% in the biodegradability of the matrix after the dye adsorption means that they must go through a cleaning process before being discarded or recycled, and the regeneration test indicates that matrices can be reused up to five times without loss of performance. The DEAE+-CDW matrix was efficient for the removal of color from a real textile effluent reaching an UV-Visible spectral area decrease of 93% when applied in a proportion of 15 g ion exchanger matrix L-1 of colored wastewater, even in the case of the parallel presence of 50 g L-1 of mordant salts in the waste water. The wide range of colored matter removal by the synthesized matrices varied from 40.27 to 98.65 mg g-1 of ionized matrix, obviously depending in each particular chemical structure of the dye upon adsorption.

CAPES; Fundação Araucária / A caulinita é um argilomineral empregado em diversos setores industriais e, em decorrência da elevada disponibilidades na crosta terrestre são realizadas modificações químicas para a obtenção de diferentes estruturas do material buscando ampliar sua utilização. Foram realizadas ativações com ácidos fosfórico e sulfúrico nas concentrações de 5 e 10 mol L-1, e tratamentos térmicos em 850, 1100 e 1200 ºC visando a aplicação deste argilomineral na adsorção do corante têxtil Reactive Blue 203. As amostras foram caracterizadas por Difratometria de Raios X (DRX), Espectroscopia na Região do Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA), Análise Térmica Diferencial (DTA) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Nos espectros de FTIR das amostras calcinadas houve o desaparecimento das absorções características da hidroxila, além do surgimento de vibrações atribuídas a metacaulinita, que é formada a partir da calcinação da caulinita. Pelo DRX foi possível confirmar as alterações da estrutura, pois o difratograma apresentou característica de material amorfo quando calcinado em 850 °C, enquanto que nas temperaturas de 1100 e 1200 °C o material voltou a apresentar estrutura cristalina, devido a formação da mulita. Essas modificações também são evidentes na análise térmica, sendo que o evento ocorrido na curva termogravimétrica entre 420 ºC e 700 ºC refere-se à desidroxilação do material e consequentemente, à formação da metacaulinita. Já a análise térmica diferencial apresentou um pico exotérmico na região de 1000 ºC, correspondendo à conversão da metacaulinita em mulita. Entretanto, a análise de MEV não demonstrou mudanças na morfologia do material. O ponto de carga zero obtido para a caulinita foi de 4,41, correspondendo ao valor de pH em que a carga superficial é zero, sendo que em valores de pH superiores a este a caulinita estará mais propícia a adsorver substâncias catiônicas e em valores de pH inferiores, aniônicas. A caulinita apresentou maior quantidade de sítios ácidos, uma vez que ambas as análises resultaram em valores de pH inferiores a 7, característicos de argilominerais com estrutura lamelar, devido a presença das hidroxilas internas e do alumínio, uma vez que trata-se de um aluminossilicato. No teste de adsorção com o corante têxtil Reactive Blue 203 a caulinita sem tratamento se sobressaiu perante as demais amostras, com melhor ajuste da isoterma de Sips e cinética de pseudo-segunda ordem. Os parâmetros termodinâmicos indicam que se trata de um processo espontâneo e endotérmico e evidenciam que ocorre uma adsorção química. / The kaolinite is a clay mineral used in several industrial sectors and, due to the high availability in the earth's crust, chemical modifications are made to obtain different structures of the material in order to expand its use. Activations were carried out with phosphoric and sulfuric acids at concentrations of 5 and 10 mol L-1, and thermal treatments at 850, 1100 and 1200ºC for the application of this clay in the adsorption of Reactive Blue 203 textile dye. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In the FTIR spectra of the calcined samples, the characteristic hydroxyl absorptions disappeared, as well as the appearance of vibrations attributed to metacaulinite, which is formed from calcination of kaolinite. By XRD, it was possible to confirm the changes in the structure, since the diffractogram showed a characteristic of amorphous material when calcined at 850 °C, while in the temperatures of 1100 and 1200 °C the material returned to present crystalline structure, due to the formation of the mullite. These changes are also evident in the thermal analysis, and the event occurring in the thermogravimetric curve between 420 ºC and 700 ºC refers to the dehydroxylation of the material and, consequently, to the formation of metakaolin. The differential thermal analysis showed an exothermic peak in the region of 1000 ºC, corresponding to the conversion of metacaulinite to mullite. However, SEM analysis did not show changes in material morphology. The zero charge point obtained for kaolinite was 4.41, corresponding to the pH value at which the surface charge is zero, and at pH values higher than that kaolinite will be more propitious to adsorb cationic substances and in values of pH lower, anionic. The kaolinite presented higher amount of acidic sites, since both analyzes resulted in pH values lower than 7, characteristic of clay minerals with lamellar structure, due to the presence of internal hydroxyls and aluminum, since it is an aluminosilicate. In the adsorption test with the Reactive Blue 203 textile dye, the untreated kaolinite stood out in the other samples, with better adjustment of the Sips isotherm and pseudo second order kinetics. The thermodynamic parameters indicate that it is a spontaneous and endothermic process and evidence that a chemical adsorption occurs.

CAPES; Fundação Araucária / A caulinita é um argilomineral empregado em diversos setores industriais e, em decorrência da elevada disponibilidades na crosta terrestre são realizadas modificações químicas para a obtenção de diferentes estruturas do material buscando ampliar sua utilização. Foram realizadas ativações com ácidos fosfórico e sulfúrico nas concentrações de 5 e 10 mol L-1, e tratamentos térmicos em 850, 1100 e 1200 ºC visando a aplicação deste argilomineral na adsorção do corante têxtil Reactive Blue 203. As amostras foram caracterizadas por Difratometria de Raios X (DRX), Espectroscopia na Região do Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA), Análise Térmica Diferencial (DTA) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Nos espectros de FTIR das amostras calcinadas houve o desaparecimento das absorções características da hidroxila, além do surgimento de vibrações atribuídas a metacaulinita, que é formada a partir da calcinação da caulinita. Pelo DRX foi possível confirmar as alterações da estrutura, pois o difratograma apresentou característica de material amorfo quando calcinado em 850 °C, enquanto que nas temperaturas de 1100 e 1200 °C o material voltou a apresentar estrutura cristalina, devido a formação da mulita. Essas modificações também são evidentes na análise térmica, sendo que o evento ocorrido na curva termogravimétrica entre 420 ºC e 700 ºC refere-se à desidroxilação do material e consequentemente, à formação da metacaulinita. Já a análise térmica diferencial apresentou um pico exotérmico na região de 1000 ºC, correspondendo à conversão da metacaulinita em mulita. Entretanto, a análise de MEV não demonstrou mudanças na morfologia do material. O ponto de carga zero obtido para a caulinita foi de 4,41, correspondendo ao valor de pH em que a carga superficial é zero, sendo que em valores de pH superiores a este a caulinita estará mais propícia a adsorver substâncias catiônicas e em valores de pH inferiores, aniônicas. A caulinita apresentou maior quantidade de sítios ácidos, uma vez que ambas as análises resultaram em valores de pH inferiores a 7, característicos de argilominerais com estrutura lamelar, devido a presença das hidroxilas internas e do alumínio, uma vez que trata-se de um aluminossilicato. No teste de adsorção com o corante têxtil Reactive Blue 203 a caulinita sem tratamento se sobressaiu perante as demais amostras, com melhor ajuste da isoterma de Sips e cinética de pseudo-segunda ordem. Os parâmetros termodinâmicos indicam que se trata de um processo espontâneo e endotérmico e evidenciam que ocorre uma adsorção química. / The kaolinite is a clay mineral used in several industrial sectors and, due to the high availability in the earth's crust, chemical modifications are made to obtain different structures of the material in order to expand its use. Activations were carried out with phosphoric and sulfuric acids at concentrations of 5 and 10 mol L-1, and thermal treatments at 850, 1100 and 1200ºC for the application of this clay in the adsorption of Reactive Blue 203 textile dye. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In the FTIR spectra of the calcined samples, the characteristic hydroxyl absorptions disappeared, as well as the appearance of vibrations attributed to metacaulinite, which is formed from calcination of kaolinite. By XRD, it was possible to confirm the changes in the structure, since the diffractogram showed a characteristic of amorphous material when calcined at 850 °C, while in the temperatures of 1100 and 1200 °C the material returned to present crystalline structure, due to the formation of the mullite. These changes are also evident in the thermal analysis, and the event occurring in the thermogravimetric curve between 420 ºC and 700 ºC refers to the dehydroxylation of the material and, consequently, to the formation of metakaolin. The differential thermal analysis showed an exothermic peak in the region of 1000 ºC, corresponding to the conversion of metacaulinite to mullite. However, SEM analysis did not show changes in material morphology. The zero charge point obtained for kaolinite was 4.41, corresponding to the pH value at which the surface charge is zero, and at pH values higher than that kaolinite will be more propitious to adsorb cationic substances and in values of pH lower, anionic. The kaolinite presented higher amount of acidic sites, since both analyzes resulted in pH values lower than 7, characteristic of clay minerals with lamellar structure, due to the presence of internal hydroxyls and aluminum, since it is an aluminosilicate. In the adsorption test with the Reactive Blue 203 textile dye, the untreated kaolinite stood out in the other samples, with better adjustment of the Sips isotherm and pseudo second order kinetics. The thermodynamic parameters indicate that it is a spontaneous and endothermic process and evidence that a chemical adsorption occurs.

This study introduces the Fanonian thought on race and racism, rhetoric of modernity, and new humanism as three constitutive thematic areas in order to enable a new understanding of the South African situation. These thematic areas are examined with specific reference to socio-economic development within the limited context of post-apartheid South Africa. This is done by reading Fanon’s text in the context of South Africa to provide the background against which the unfolding of the post-apartheid era and its political discourses may be analysed. In essence, this study is based on Fanon’s predictions that he made in the text written more than 50 years ago about the future of post-colonial states. Therefore, this study argues that Fanon’s thought has proven to be more prophetic with regard to post-apartheid South Africa and its political reforms which left the fundamental question of structures such as land, economy, and labour unaddressed. What happened on 27 April 1994 is not genuine liberation, but a mere transition from apartheid to democratic dispensation that left the status quo in spatial arrangements uninterrupted. Indeed, it was an elite pact between the African National Congress and white monopoly capital, which betrayed the national liberation movement and the black majority. The contention is that South Africa celebrated the cosmetic reforms that attributed the term liberation incomplete in the absence of fundamental and structural changes. What is therefore recommended is that for there to be success, there must be genuine liberation that is consistent with the needs of society. This means bringing to an end the racially marked structures and reimagining the black condition, through jobs, education, social and economic programmes aimed at empowering the black majority to depend on themselves as opposed to relying on the State. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

CAPES / A indústria têxtil é responsável pela geração de efluentes com elevada carga orgânica, cor e toxicidade. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de remoção de um corante azo-reativo (Vermelho BR) pelo processo de ozonização em variações de pH e concentração inicial do corante para duas soluções: solução aquosa acrescida de corante (Solução 1) e solução de efluente sintético acrescido de corante (Solução 2). Para tal, os ensaios foram realizados em pH 4 (ácido), pH 7 (neutro) e pH 10 (alcalino) e a concentração inicial do corante foi variada em 50, 100 e 150 mg/L. As coletas foram realizadas de 15 em 15 minutos e os parâmetros analisados para Solução 1 foram: temperatura, remoção de cor, turbidez, ozônio dissolvido, off-gas e ozônio consumido; para Solução 2, além desses parâmetros também foi analisada a remoção de matéria orgânica (DQO). O tempo de ozonização ocorreu até a remoção significativa da cor (>90%) e variou entre 60 e 240 min. A produção de ozônio utilizada neste trabalho foi a máxima obtida pelo gerador de 0,702 gO3/h em vazão máxima de ar (15 L/min). A eficiência máxima de transferência de ozônio para o líquido foi de 73% em meio alcalino (pH igual a 10) e mínimas em condições ácidas (pH igual a 4) para ambas as soluções analisadas. Através da aplicação do delineamento de composto central (DCC) e dos gráficos de superfície de resposta, pode-se verificar a influência dos fatores concentração inicial de corante (Fator 1) e pH (Fator 2) na variável resposta remoção de corante. Dessa forma pode-se observar que a influência da concentração inicial do corante é mais significativa do que a influência do pH na eficiência de remoção do corante. A eficiência máxima de remoção foi de 98% para Solução 1 e para Solução 2 em pH 10 e 4 respectivamente e com concentração inicial de corante de 50 mg/L. A fim de analisar a toxicidade das soluções, antes e após a ozonização, foram realizados testes de toxicidade aguda com o organismo teste Daphinia similis e verificou-se toxicidade em todas as amostras analisadas. Ao longo deste trabalho pode-se observar que a ozonização tem resultados eficientes na oxidação do corante têxtil Vermelho BR em todas as variações de pH e concentração de corante. / The textile industry is responsible for generating wastewater with high organic content, color and toxicity. The direct objective of this study was to evaluate the hum dye removal efficiency azo-Reactive (Red BR) by ozonation process in pH variations and initial dye concentration. For two solutions: dye plus aqueous solution (Solution 1) and synthetic effluent solution plus dye (Solution 2). To this end, tests were performed at pH 4 (acid), pH 7 (neutral) and pH 10 (alkaline) and the initial dye concentration varied among 50, 100 and 150mg / L As samples were performed from 15 to 15 minutes and the parameters were analyzed. for Solution 1 were: temperature, color removal, turbidity, dissolved ozone, off-gas and ozone consumed. For solution 2, besides these parameters, was also analyzed the removal of organic matter (COD). The rate of ozonation has occurred up to a significant removal of color (> 90%) and between 60 and 240 min.The Ozone production used in this work was a Maximum obtained with Generator 0702 GO3 / h in air flow Maximum (15 L / min). The Maximu m Efficiency of transfer Ozone to the net was 73% in alkaline medium (pH 10) and minimum under acidic conditions (pH 4) For both analyzed solutions. through the application of the central compound design (DCC) and Polling Surface Graphics, it is possible to check the initial dye concentration factors of influence (Factor 1) and pH (Factor 2) in the Variable Voting dye removal. This can be observed as forms of Influence of the initial dye concentration and more significant is that the influence of pH dye removal efficiency. Maximum efficiency removal was 98% For Solution 1 and 2 sat pH 10:04 and initial concentration of dye 50 mg / L. In order to analyze the toxicity of solutions, the before and after process of ozonation, tests were performed as toxicity test with the body similis daphinia and found toxicity at all samples. During this work, it was observed that the ozonation has results in efficient oxidation of dye textile Red BR in all pH variations and dye concentration.

CAPES / A indústria têxtil é responsável pela geração de efluentes com elevada carga orgânica, cor e toxicidade. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de remoção de um corante azo-reativo (Vermelho BR) pelo processo de ozonização em variações de pH e concentração inicial do corante para duas soluções: solução aquosa acrescida de corante (Solução 1) e solução de efluente sintético acrescido de corante (Solução 2). Para tal, os ensaios foram realizados em pH 4 (ácido), pH 7 (neutro) e pH 10 (alcalino) e a concentração inicial do corante foi variada em 50, 100 e 150 mg/L. As coletas foram realizadas de 15 em 15 minutos e os parâmetros analisados para Solução 1 foram: temperatura, remoção de cor, turbidez, ozônio dissolvido, off-gas e ozônio consumido; para Solução 2, além desses parâmetros também foi analisada a remoção de matéria orgânica (DQO). O tempo de ozonização ocorreu até a remoção significativa da cor (>90%) e variou entre 60 e 240 min. A produção de ozônio utilizada neste trabalho foi a máxima obtida pelo gerador de 0,702 gO3/h em vazão máxima de ar (15 L/min). A eficiência máxima de transferência de ozônio para o líquido foi de 73% em meio alcalino (pH igual a 10) e mínimas em condições ácidas (pH igual a 4) para ambas as soluções analisadas. Através da aplicação do delineamento de composto central (DCC) e dos gráficos de superfície de resposta, pode-se verificar a influência dos fatores concentração inicial de corante (Fator 1) e pH (Fator 2) na variável resposta remoção de corante. Dessa forma pode-se observar que a influência da concentração inicial do corante é mais significativa do que a influência do pH na eficiência de remoção do corante. A eficiência máxima de remoção foi de 98% para Solução 1 e para Solução 2 em pH 10 e 4 respectivamente e com concentração inicial de corante de 50 mg/L. A fim de analisar a toxicidade das soluções, antes e após a ozonização, foram realizados testes de toxicidade aguda com o organismo teste Daphinia similis e verificou-se toxicidade em todas as amostras analisadas. Ao longo deste trabalho pode-se observar que a ozonização tem resultados eficientes na oxidação do corante têxtil Vermelho BR em todas as variações de pH e concentração de corante. / The textile industry is responsible for generating wastewater with high organic content, color and toxicity. The direct objective of this study was to evaluate the hum dye removal efficiency azo-Reactive (Red BR) by ozonation process in pH variations and initial dye concentration. For two solutions: dye plus aqueous solution (Solution 1) and synthetic effluent solution plus dye (Solution 2). To this end, tests were performed at pH 4 (acid), pH 7 (neutral) and pH 10 (alkaline) and the initial dye concentration varied among 50, 100 and 150mg / L As samples were performed from 15 to 15 minutes and the parameters were analyzed. for Solution 1 were: temperature, color removal, turbidity, dissolved ozone, off-gas and ozone consumed. For solution 2, besides these parameters, was also analyzed the removal of organic matter (COD). The rate of ozonation has occurred up to a significant removal of color (> 90%) and between 60 and 240 min.The Ozone production used in this work was a Maximum obtained with Generator 0702 GO3 / h in air flow Maximum (15 L / min). The Maximu m Efficiency of transfer Ozone to the net was 73% in alkaline medium (pH 10) and minimum under acidic conditions (pH 4) For both analyzed solutions. through the application of the central compound design (DCC) and Polling Surface Graphics, it is possible to check the initial dye concentration factors of influence (Factor 1) and pH (Factor 2) in the Variable Voting dye removal. This can be observed as forms of Influence of the initial dye concentration and more significant is that the influence of pH dye removal efficiency. Maximum efficiency removal was 98% For Solution 1 and 2 sat pH 10:04 and initial concentration of dye 50 mg / L. In order to analyze the toxicity of solutions, the before and after process of ozonation, tests were performed as toxicity test with the body similis daphinia and found toxicity at all samples. During this work, it was observed that the ozonation has results in efficient oxidation of dye textile Red BR in all pH variations and dye concentration.

Thesis submitted in the requirements for the degree Doctor Technologiae: Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2013 / To date, limited information has been published on textile wastewater treatment, for re-use, in South Africa (SA), with treatment processes focusing on conventional wastewater treatment methods. A large contributor to the contamination of water within textile industries is from dyehouse processes. A major concern in textile wastewater treatment is the release of azo dyes and their metabolites, some of which are carcinogenic and mutanogenic, into the environment since they are xenobiotic and aerobically recalcitrant to biodegradation. A necessity therefore exists to find an effective treatment method capable of removing both the strong colour and the toxic organic compounds from textile wastewater. Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are favoured when treating high-strength wastewater, since the membrane area is determined by the hydraulic throughput and not the biological load; no sludge is wasted and all bacteria are retained within the reactor, including specific bacteria capable of degrading the toxic, non-biodegradable constituents present in textile wastewater. MBR systems, using various configurations have been utilised extensively in the rest of the world to treat textile wastewater at both lab and pilot-scale. This DTech project formed part of a collaborative Water Research Commission (WRC) funded project K5/1900 - Pilot application of a dual-stage membrane bioreactor (dsMBR) for industrial wastewater treatment. The main purpose of this study was the on-site evaluation of a pilot-scale dsMBR incorporating two ultrafiltration (UF) sidestream membrane modules for the treatment, recovery and re-use of textile wastewater. The objectives of this project were to determine the treatment efficiency of the system; to evaluate the degree of colour removal from the textile wastewater; to improve residual colour removal within the system using treatment processes, such as NF and RO, as well as to propose a design and cost for a full-scale plant. A textile industry located in Bellville, Western Cape, was chosen as the industrial partner for the on-site evaluation of a semi-automated pilot wastewater treatment MBR plant using two 5.1 m2 Norit X-flow AirliftTM membrane modules. Since the wastewater treatment system was located on the premises, real continuously changing industrial wastewater was being treated. The industrial textile wastewater was treated in a series of tanks: 1) an anaerobic tank, which cleaved the azo bonds of the reactive dyes; 2) an anoxic tank containing reduced amounts of dissolved oxygen, in which denitrification occurred; and 3) an aerobic tank, in which i) nitrification, as well as ii) mineralisation of the aromatic amines occurred. The UF-membrane modules would account for the removal of any organic material. The wastewater stream was characterised by a chemical oxygen demand (COD) range of between 45 to 2,820 mg/L and an average biological oxygen demand (BOD) of 192.5 mg/L. The dsMBR achieved an average COD reduction of 75% with a maximum of 97% over the 220 day test period. The COD concentration obtained after dsMBR treatment averaged at 191 mg/L, which was well within the City of Cape Town industrial wastewater discharge standard. The average reduction in turbidity and TSS was 94% and 19.6%, respectively, during the UF-MBR stage of the system. Subsequent treatment of the UF permeate with nanofiltration (NF) for 4 days, alternated with reverse osmosis (RO) for 14 days removed both the residual colour and salt present in the UF permeate. A consistent reduction in the colour of the incoming wastewater was evident. The colour in the wastewater was reduced from an average of 659 ADMI units to ~12 ADMI units in the NF permeate, a lower American dye manufacturing index (ADMI) (i.e. method of colour representation) compared to the potable water (~17 ADMI units) utilised by the industrial partner in their dyeing processes. The colour was reduced from an average of 659 to ~20 ADMI units in the RO permeate, a lower ADMI and therefore colour when compared to the potable water. An average conductivity rejection of 91% was achieved with conductivity being reduced from an average of 7,700 to 693 μS/cm and the TDS reduced from an average of 5,700 to 473 mg/L, which facilitated an average TDS rejection of 92%. Based on the composition of the UF permeate fed to the RO membrane a maximum removal of 98.7% was achieved for both conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS). The proposed full-scale plant would incorporate a UF-MBR system, followed by NF, RO, flocculation and a filter press. Therefore, the two waste products produced during operation of the proposed full-scale plant, would be the solid filter cakes and the liquid filtrate from the filter press. Implementing the proposed full-scale plant it would cost the industrial partner an operating cost of ZAR 113.85 and ZAR 3,415.49 to treat 97.1 m3 and 2,913 m3 of textile wastewater, respectively, per day and per month. This results in an annual saving of ZAR 845,848 on potable water expenses. This research, would provide SA textile industries, with an option to: 1) reduce their water consumption, thereby utilising less of a valuable decreasing commodity; 2) meet the SA government discharge standards and reduce their discharge costs; 3) reduce their carbon footprint (i.e. reduce their impact on the environment) by re-using their treated wastewater and therefore using less water from the municipality; and 4) decrease their annual expenditure on water, since the treated wastewater would be available for re-use.