Assessment and selection of best available technology (BAT) for wastewater facilities in the leather tanning and finishing industry

Determining the best available technology (BAT) that is economically viable is indispensable in managing industrial wastewater discharging facilities. In this study, a BAT evaluation tool was applied to a case study of the leather tanning and finishing industry in South Korea. In examining the evaluation, the following factors and flows were considered: (1) information on source characterization, (2) selection of candidate technology, (3) analysis of regulatory compliance, (4) assessment of environmental factors (non water quality factors), (5) assessment of economic feasibility, (6) assessment of technical factors, and (7) selection of the BAT. Wastewater discharge from the leather tanning and finishing industry contains high concentrations of organic compounds, chromate, nitrogen, and sulfide, of which nitrogen is concerning, being significantly higher than the other factors in general. Six treatment technologies were evaluated for the industry. Based on the results, technology option F (chemical precipitation + modified Ludzack-Ettinger process + fenton process) was selected as the BAT for wastewater facilities in the leather tanning and finishing industry. The methods and results of this study can be used guide the development of policies for industrial wastewater management facilities.