Investigation of Electrolysis Process Performance by Graphite Electrodes for De-Colorization of Phenolphthalein and Phenol Red from Aqueous Solution

This study elucidates the de-colorization of phenolphthalein and phenol red from aqueous solution through electrochemical oxidation technique. An electrochemical reactor had 1 liter volume that used 2 graphite electrodes. Effect of electric power voltage, inter electrode distance and electrolyte concentration was investigated in this system. It was found that the optimum conditions for completely removal of phenolphthalein was at voltage of 48 V, retention time of 9 minutes, distance between the electrode of 5 cm, and the salt concentration of 1.5 g/l. Also completely removal of phenol red was at voltage of 48 V, retention time of 8 minutes, distance between the electrode of 5 cm, and the salt concentration of 2 g/l. Phenol red and phenolphthalein COD removal efficiency was 85 and 80 percent respectively. The results suggest that the electrolysis process is an effective way to removal of phenolphthalein and phenol red color from effluent, because of it can completely remove the color in a short time.