Application of hybrid electrocoagulation and electrooxidation process for treatment of wastewater from the cotton textile industry

Abstract

The hybrid electrocoagulation-electrooxidation (EC-EO) process was evaluated for its capability to remove color, total organic carbon (TOC), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Aluminum (Al/Al) and iridium dioxide-coated onto titanium (IrO₂/Ti) electrodes were selected as anode/cathode for EC and EC-EO experiments, respectively. The box-Behnken statistical experimental design was used to optimize different operating conditions of the processes. The selected EC operating parameters are the concentrated dye concentration, applied current density, electrolysis time, and pH. The three chosen operating conditions for hybrid EC- EO processes are applied current density, pH, and electrolysis time. The results were evaluated based on the interaction effects of operating parameters of the treatment methods on the percentage of COD, TOC, and color removal. The EC process achieved 89% color and 76% COD removal rate at the optimum operating conditions. Likewise, the hybrid EC-EO process obtained 97% COD and color removal efficiency. FT-IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy combined approach was employed to analyze the dye degradation extent. Both analysis results confirm the complete degradation of the organic contaminants into carbon dioxide and water. Thus, this study discloses that the treatment method using mesh IrO₂/Ti electrodes is a promising technology that could reach the discharge limit for industrial effluents. In addition, the optimum operating conditions are tested for real industrial wastewater effluents and show excellent performance in removing pollutants. Furthermore, the treatment method's mineralization study and economic analysis were performed and compared to other studies.

Keywords: Dye degradation extent; Electrocoagulation; Electrooxidation; Hybrid EC-EO; Textile wastewater.