Contribution to the study of electrocoagulation mechanism in basic textile effluent

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Water Treatment Technologies
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Industrial textile wastewater poses significant environmental challenges due to its high color and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
• Conventional treatment methods are often inefficient or costly for textile effluent.
• Electrocoagulation (EC) presents a promising alternative for wastewater treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficiency of electrocoagulation using an iron electrode for treating industrial textile wastewater.
• To determine the optimal operating parameters, specifically electrolysis time and potential, for decolourization and COD removal.
• To elucidate the mechanism of electrocoagulation in this application.

Main Methods:

• Batch reactor electrocoagulation using an iron electrode.
• Systematic variation of electrolysis time and applied potential.
• Measurement of decolourization and COD removal efficiency.
• Zeta potential analysis to understand the electrocoagulation mechanism.

Main Results:

• Electrocoagulation achieved 100% color removal and 84% COD removal within 3 minutes at an applied potential of 600 mV.
• The treated effluent quality exceeded direct discharge standards, indicating a highly effective treatment.
• Zeta potential measurements provided insights into the electrocoagulation process mechanism.

Conclusions:

• Electrocoagulation with an iron electrode is a highly efficient and rapid method for treating industrial textile wastewater.
• The process is effective in removing color and COD, producing high-quality effluent.
• The study demonstrates the viability of EC as a sustainable solution for textile wastewater management.