This study investigates the anodic oxidation of oxalic
acid (OA)
in wastewater by focusing on a stirred tank electrochemical reactor
with a low-cost lead anode. The reactor design, which features a circular
array of vertical lead cylinders, aims to enhance the current distribution
and mass transfer. Response surface methodology (RSM) is employed
to systematically explore the impact of the impeller rotation speed,
current density, and initial OA concentration on the efficiency of
OA removal. The investigation reveals that impeller rotation speed
and current density significantly influence OA removal, while the
initial OA concentration exhibits opposing effects. Notably, the study
emphasizes the crucial role of contact time and reveals its significant
influence on the overall process kinetics and adherence to first-order
kinetics. The study also considers the role of sulfate ions in enhancing
the electrochemical mineralization of OA. The derived empirical model
provides insights into the interplay of operating parameters in influencing
the oxidation kinetics. Additionally, the study employs RSM to optimize
OA removal efficiency; in ideal circumstances, 96% of the acid was
eliminated within a time frame of 2 h. Electrical energy consumed
during electrolysis ranged from 2 to 11.4 kWh/kg contingent upon the
specific operational parameters. The findings contribute to the design
of efficient and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment processes
for OA removal in diverse industrial applications. The merits of the
present reactor compared with the traditional parallel plate cell
are outlined.