Anionic Surfactant Removal Using Electrochemical Process: Effect of Electrode Materials and Energy Consumption

The aim of this study was the investigation of electrochemical process for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) removal from aqueous solutions using different electrode materials. The influence of operating parameters such as current density, solution initial pH, surfactant concentrations, retention time, supporting electrolyte concentrations, electrode materials (aluminum, titanium, galvanized steel, stainless steel) and electrical energy consumption were evaluated. The obtained results indicated that the stainless steel electrode was more efficient than other electrodes. Maximum SDS removal was obtained 94.98% at the optimum condition of initial pH 7.0, 60 min retention time, 3.125 mA/cm2 current density, 100 mg/L initial SDS concentration and 0.2 g/L NaCl concentration. The electrical energy consumption of stainless steel, aluminum, titanium and galvanized steel was achieved 4, 3.68, 12 and 4.48 KWh/m3, respectively. It was found that the electrochemical reaction using stainless steel plate electrodes was efficient in SDS removal from aquatic environments.