Composite wastewater treatment by aerated electrocoagulation and modified peroxi-coagulation processes

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 205; pp. 587 - 593
• Main Authors: Kumar, Abhijeet, Nidheesh, P.V., Suresh Kumar, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2018
• Subjects: Composite wastewater; Electrocoagulation; HydroxyL radical; Peroxi-coagulation; Wastewater treatment; HydroxyL radical; Peroxi-coagulation; Composite wastewater; Electrocoagulation; Wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.141

Treatment of composite wastewater generating from the industrial estates is a great challenge. The present study examines the applicability of aerated electrocoagulation and modified peroxi-coagulation processes for removing color and COD from composite wastewater. Iron plates were used as anodes and cathodes in both electrochemical processes and experiments were carried out in a working volume of 2 L. Aeration enhanced the efficiency of electrocoagulation process significantly. More than 50% of COD and 60% of color were removed after 1 h of electrocoagulation process operated at pH 3 and applied voltage of 1 V. Efficiency of the modified peroxi-coagulation process was significantly higher than that of aerated electrocoagulation. COD and color removal efficiencies of the modified peroxi-coagulation process were found as 77.7% and 97%, respectively after 1 h of electrolysis operated at 1 V, solution pH 3 and 50 mM hydrogen peroxide addition. This improved efficiency of modified peroxi-coagulation compared to aerated electrocoagulation is mainly due to the attack of in-situ generated hydroxyl radicals.
•Electrochemical treatment of composite wastewater.•Enhanced performance of electrocoagulation with external aeration.•Superior performance of modified peroxi-coagulation process than aerated electrocoagulation process.•Active chlorine generation is irrespective of process and pH.•Hydroxyl radicals are superior oxidant responsible for pollutant removal.