Decolorization of Boron-Based Wood Preservatives by Ozonation for Recycling: Optimization of Process Parameters

Preservation of sawn timber from rubber trees with a water-soluble mixture boric acid and borax generates large quantity colored wood preservative solutions carries toxic metals, especially boron. To save costs, millers commonly reuse the mixtures in successive preservation cycles but regularly add to maintain boron levels. However, this strategy affects both color economic value treated wood. This paper presents new treat waterborne using ozonation for recycling purposes. At optimum conditions which are determined by response surface methodology, very high removal (96 - 97 %) is achieved ozone treatment preservatives an initial COD concentration 2,250 ± 40 mg/L solution pH 3.59 0.02 65 min reaction time. The effluent can be reused without degrading quality terms processed penetration end grain as well sides Ozone shows promising technology rubberwood industry, aimed at preservatives, resulting direct environmental benefits. HIGHLIGHTS Application (O3) clean aqueous in-process industry Box-Behnken design Response Surface Methodology applied find Recycling subsequent operation gave results reusability boron-based after minimizes occurrence industrial chemical waste GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT