B. Methods:
B.1 Pretreatment
Pretreatment was the first phase of treatment unit. Pretreatment was done to increase the biomass and let the biomass get
attached on gel. The aim of pretreatment process was to let the biomass present in wastewater get attached on gel and
grow inside gel or both and to Reduced the actual Time-Span required by Biomass to grow & get attached on gel which is
normally 3-4 months. In pretreatment phase the gel (PVA) and the wastewater sample from Gokul dairy Kolhapur was
mixed and was introduced in a cylindrical container having capacity of 2.5 liters. One liter of gel in volume, two liter
wastewater sample from primary clarifier and 250 ml of activated return sludge was mixed thoroughly and then
introduced in the container. This mixture was aerated by using two compressor machines used in fish aquarium. Diffuse
aeration was provided by using stones linked with compressor machines. The wastewater from container was changed
partly everyday (after 24 hrs). Half wastewater volume from container was removed every day with the help of Strainer so that gel does not drain out from the container and refilled with primary w/w secondary w/w & activated sludge.
Pretreatment was given to gel for 30 days. Colour of gel used before pretreatment was white and after pretreatment it
changed into light brown in colour.