Electrocoagulation in a packed bed reactor-complete treatment of color and cod from real textile wastewater

• An electrochemical iron reactor of a unique design was used.
• A 96.88% COD and complete color removal were obtained using a packed bed electrode.
• Direct dischargeable effluent, in compliance with legal requirements, was obtained.
• Maghemite was found to be the main by-product using XRD analysis of the sludge.

This paper deals with the efficiency of electrocoagulation (EC) for the abatement of COD and absorbance (i.e. color) from real textile wastewater using a packed bed electrochemical reactor in a unique design, not previously encountered in the literature for the treatment of textile wastewater by electrocoagulation. The cylindrical iron reactor was used as a cathode while the packed bed formed from wrapped iron wire netting was used as an anode. Various operating parameters, such as current density, initial pH, wastewater recirculation flow rate and continuous flow regime, were examined for intensifying the performance of the process. Also, calculation of electrical energy consumption and the characterization of sludge formed during electrocoagulation have been performed. The initial COD concentration of 1953 mg/L was reduced to 61 mg/L with a removal efficiency of 96.88%, while the color of the wastewater was almost completely removed. The experimental results, throughout the present study, have indicate that electrocoagulation of textile wastewater using a uniquely designed reactor was very effective and direct dischargeable effluent, complying with legal requirements, was obtained. The XRD analysis of the sludge produced during EC reveals that maghemite (Fe2O3) is the main by-product formed after EC.

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