Evaluation of electrocoagulation processeffect in decolorization ofdying wastewater by using Al/Fe & Al/Cu electrodes

Colored wastewaters are major source of aquatic pollution which will cause considerable impacts to the environment if discharge without treatment. In recent years، Electrocoagulation (EC) process has been attracted a great attention for treatment of industrial wastewaters as an appropriate method. In this study، the efficiency of electrocoagulation process on color removal of natural dyeing wastewater was investigated. This study experimentally was run in a batch electrochemical reactor consisting of a 0. 6 L glass beaker، two anodes and two cathodes. The anodesand the cathodeswere made of aluminumand iron or copper respectively which installed in parallel. In each of test، 400mLof wastewater add into the reactor، then effect of three parameters including the current (50-500mA)، reaction time (5-40 min) and the pH of wastewater (pH=4-8) on process performance were investigated. Theresults showed that optimal conditions for Al/Cu and Al/Fe systems was in 400 mA applied current، pH of 4 and 40 minutes. In these conditions، EC with Al/Cu electrodes were capableto remove of almost complete color (98%) and efficiency of COD removal was 28 %، whereas EC with Al/Fe resulted in 97% color removal and 21% COD reduction. Electrical energy consumption and current efficiency of EC process for optimal condition werefound 2. 9kWhm-3 and 110% respectively. According to our finding،it proposed that EC process is very efficient and economic process for color removalfrom wastewater.