Treatment of textile industry wastewater by electro-Fenton process using graphite electrodes in batch and continuous mode

In this study, the effectiveness of electro-Fenton (EF) technology for the advanced treatment of biologically treated textile wastewater using graphite electrodes was investigated. The performance of the EF process was evaluated in terms of colour, COD and TOC removal. In batch system, the influence of process parameters such as wastewater pH, current intensity, reaction time, and Fe2+ concentration was investigated. Optimum operating conditions were determined as pH 3.0, current intensity of 0.55A, Fe2+ concentration of 2 mM. The use of EF process as a post treatment technology for the biologically treated textile wastewater has led to significant reduction in colour, COD, and TOC content of textile wastewater. In continuous system, 89 % colour, 93 % COD and 58 % TOC removal efficiencies were attained at pH 3, current intensity 1.65 A, Fe2+ of 2 mM and flow rate 25 mL.min(-1). The corresponding average energy consumption, electrical energy efficiency and current efficiency were estimated as 16 kWhm(-3), 17 kWhm(-3)order(-1) and 0.300. The results showed that EF process with graphite anode and cathode is promising technology improving the wastewater quality for potential reuse.