Removal of COD from real oily wastewater by electrocoagulation using a new configuration of electrodes

Abstract

In order to bring the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration down to safe levels for widespread use, this study plans to use a state-of-the-art electrocoagulation reactor (ECR) to treat real oily wastewater discharged from the Al-Muthanna petroleum refinery. A One-Side Finned (1SF) cathode tube was positioned between two tubular anodes in the continuous ECR, where the active area of the cathode was much more than its submerged volume. Each of these electrodes was made of aluminum and joined in a monopolar parallel to a DC power supply. On COD elimination efficiency, the impacts of operational parameters such as electrolysis time (4–60 min), current density (0.630-5.000 mA/cm2), and flow rate (50–150 ml/min) were explored. In conclusion, Increasing current density and electrolysis duration increases COD removal efficiency, whereas increasing flow rate reduces it. COD removal efficiencies were 82% at optimal electrolysis times of 60 (min), 5 (mA/cm2) current density, and 50 (ml/min) flow rate, with energy consumption of 4.787 (kwh/kg COD) and electrode consumption of 0.544. (g).The investigation results demonstrated that the new reactor could treat oily wastewater within the specified operational limits. It might be used before other, more conventional treatments.

Water Footprint Reduction in Oil and Gas Refineries through Water Reuse: A Systematic Review

“…Results indicated that increasing flow rate led to a decrease in oil removal efficiency while increasing density and electrolysis time improved efficiency up to 99% (Jasim & AlJaberi, 2023a). Similar studies have shown that employing the electrocoagulation process can reduce other pollutants in oil refinery effluent, with turbidity reduced by 84.5% (AlJaberi et al, 2020), COD by 82% (Jasim & AlJaberi, 2023b), and total dissolved solids (TDS) by 13% on average (Jasim et al, 2023).…”