Electro-coagulation and Electro-oxidation sequential process using low-cost electrodes as an alternative for the treatment of polluted industrial wastewater

Author : Miguel Angel Gomez Garcia, Daniel Ovidio Salazar, Izabela Dobrosz-Gomez

Abstract :Industrial textile wastewater (ITWW) contains organic and recalcitrant compounds that need elimination and/or mineralization prior to environmental release. In this work, a highly polluted ITWW sample (characterized by a COD of 3.2 g/L, TOC of 1.2 g/L, TSS of 0.07 g/L, phenols concentration of 0.8 mg/L, total Cr concentration of 20 mg/L, BOD5 of 0.61 g O2/L, and acid black dye concentration of 0.9 g/L) underwent treatment via a sequential Electro-coagulation and Electro-oxidation (EC EO) process, employing aluminum and graphite electrodes. Optimization of process operational parameters, achieved through the application of robust statistical methodologies, resulted in near complete decolorization, along with an 87% reduction in COD and 74% reduction in TOC. The EC-EO effluent exhibited biocompatibility, as indicated by a BOD5/COD ratio of 0.4. A kinetic investigation was performed to establish the time required to satisfy the COD discharge standards stipulated by Colombian regulations. Finally, a thorough operational cost evaluation revealed that the sequentially EC-EO process represents an effective alternative for the treatment of industrial textile effluents

Keywords :Electro-Coagulation, Electro-oxidation, sequential processes, acid black 194 dye, Industrial textile wastewater

Conference Name :International Conference on Waste Management, Recycling and Environment - (ICOWMRE-25)

Conference Place New York, USA

Conference Date 15th Jul 2025