Removal of para-toulic acid (p-TA) from purified terephthalic acid (PTA) waste water by electrocoagulation process

Present study is based on removal of Para-Toulic Acid (p-TA) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from purified terephthalic acid (PTA) waste water by electro coagulation process. Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) are selected as electrode material. A full factorial (4-factors, 5-level, 3-response) rotatable central composite design (CCD) has been developed for optimization of operating parameters. Operating parameters such as pH− (4-12), current density (A/m2)-(76.0-215), electrolysis time (min)-(15-90), and NaCl concentration (g/l)-(0.5-1.50) are used for study for removal efficiency of p-TA (mg/l), COD (mg/l), and consumption of energy (kwh/kg COD removed). Maximum removal efficiency of p-TA-60.49, 50.76; COD-53.80, 46.75 and E. consumption-90.25, 135.50 are achieved at optimum operating conditions for Al and Fe electrodes respectively. Sludge samples obtained after EC treatment are analyzed by settling characteristics, FTIR, SEM/EDX, XRD and TGA/DTA.