Effect of Operating Parameters on the Electrocoagulation of Simulated Acid Dyebath Effluent

The present study investigates the influence of operating parameters (electrolyte concentration, applied electrical current, initial reaction pH) on color and COD removals from a simulated acid dyebath effluent employing electrocoagulation with aluminum (Al) and stainless steel (SS) electrodes. Our results indicated that almost complete (100% for EC with SS electrodes) color and partial (around 50% for EC with SS electrodes) COD removal could be achieved via electrocoagulation using Al as well as SS electrodes once working conditions were optimized. The study also revealed that electrocoagulation with SS electrodes was more attractive both in terms of treatment performance as well as electrical energy and sludge handling costs; the electrical energy requirement and sludge production rate were 17 kWh/(m3 wastewater) and 8200 g/(m3 wastewater) for electrocoagulation with Al electrodes, instead of 8 kWh/(m3 wastewater) and 700 g/(m3 wastewater) for electrocoagulation with SS electrodes to achieve the same treatment efficiency.