Synergy of electrochemical oxidation using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes and ozone (O3) in industrial wastewater treatment

This work evaluates the coupling of electrochemical oxidation and ozonation to reduce the high organic load of industrial wastewater quickly and effectively. Ozonation alone is shown to only reduce the COD of wastewater by about 45%. Electrochemical oxidation using boron-doped diamond electrodes reduces the COD by 99.9%, but requires over 2 h per 0.7 L batch. However, when the two processes are coupled, the COD is reduced by 99.9% along with most color and turbidity in about an hour. The coupled process practically eliminates the COD, color, and turbidity without the addition of chemical reagents or changing the pH and doesn't generate any sludge, so it is both effective and environmentally friendly.

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► Coupling electrochemical and ozonation processes is effective in reducing COD, color, and turbidity.
► Under the optimal conditions of current density and ozone dose there is no need to modify the pH of the raw wastewater.
► This coupled process does not produce sludge, thus this is a clean technology.
► The system configuration is quite simple and easy to operate.
► The coupled system is faster and more effective that either process alone.