Electrochemical treatment of skim serum effluent from natural rubber latex centrifuging units

Electrochemical treatment of raw and anaerobically treated skim serum effluent from natural rubber latex centrifuging units was investigated using different electrodes like aluminium, stainless steel, mild steel, and cast iron in the presence of chloride ions. Experimental results were assessed in terms of the removal of COD, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), TKN, ammoniacal nitrogen, turbidity, sulphides and phosphates. The effect of operating factors such as supporting electrolyte, duration of electrolysis, pH, concentration of effluent and the presence of Fenton's reagent as chemical oxidant were studied. The influence of these factors on the biochemical constituents and population of total bacteria were also investigated. Aluminium anode was found to be more effective to remove pollutants and maximum removal of BOD took place within 30 min of electrolysis. After electrochemical treatment phosphate removal efficiency was 99.5% and complete removal of sulphide was observed from the anaerobically treated effluent. Electrochemical treatment is effective in removing biochemical constituents and total bacteria in the presence of Fenton's reagent.