International Journal of Engineering and Technology Innovation, vol . 5, no. 2, 2015, pp. 121-131 Caustic Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment of Effluent from Cassava Processing Industry: Prospects and Limitations Olayinka Omotosho 1 , Anthony Amori 2,* 1 Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Unit, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria 2 Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria Received 01 April 2014; received in revised form 21 May 2014; accepted 15 December 2014 Abstract Cassava has been described as a major part of diet in most African countries. Its processing usually requires the release of polluted effluent which has been found to be toxic, carcinogenic as well as mutagenic to some extent. In this study, the treatment process comprised of a combination of peroxide oxidation at caustic range and filtration which ensured that the key pollutant, Cyanide was converted to cyanate. Metal and other non-metal pollutants were filtered off with the aid of a graded sand filter after undergoing hydroxide formation and precipitation. Results from the study shows that an optimum dosage of 0.3mg/l was adequate for Cyanide destruction and hydroxide precipitation reactions. A comparison of the effluent from the treatment process with FEPA standards for waste water discharge shows that most of the pollutant parameters were within acceptable limits after the treatment with the exception of PO 4 and BOD 5 . However when compared with Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for Irrigation the only parameter outstanding was the BOD 5 . As a result of the inadequacy of the process in handling the phosphate and biological load content of the wastewater, It is proposed that an additional treatment method such as sorption using activated carbon or use of a combined baffle flocculation and aeration techniques will be appropriate if the water is to be discharged safely into water courses or even for irrigation purposes. Keywords: cyanate, peroxide, wastewater, effluent, cyanide destruction, cassava. 1. Introduction Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a very important component of diet for Africans and Nigerians in particular. A research conducted by [1] showed that over 30% of the respondents claimed that they eat cassava more than four times a week. There are instances where people eat cassava more than twice daily in Nigeria. From results of research carried out by [2], it was observed that cassava is the most important crop in Nigeria after maize. Cassava processing as an industry provides employment and revenue for over 30% of nation’s informal sector. Industrial effluent has a hazardous effect on water quality, habitat quality, and complex effects on flowing waters [3]. Wastewaters by nature are unavoidable by-products of processing activity this implies whatever processing procedures are used for preparing products, there will always be an aqueous liquid as by-product. About 75% of cassava tubers harvested in Africa is processed through fermentation process necessitates the release of large volumes of highly poisonous and polluted wastewater [4]. Cassava processing effluent is often times considered as a significant contributor to environmental pollution and nuisance [5]. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: amori_anthony@yahoo.com Tel.: +2348034151316