Utilization of Waste Aluminium Foil as a Sacrificial Electrode for the Treatment of Wastewater

Abstract

In this study, the use of waste food grade aluminium foil and mild steel as a sacrificial electrode in an electrocoagulation system was developed to remove reactive red 111 from wastewater. The effect of different parameters like pH, current density, electrode material, and different electrode configurations was investigated. Optimum operating conditions for maximum COD removal were determined as, 6 mA/cm 2 current density and 30 min at 5 pH for aluminium foil and 7 pH for mild steel. Maximum COD reduction obtained at optimum conditions using monopolar 4 electrodes, monopolar 2 electrodes and bipolar electrode configuration were 96.5%, 89.3%, and 90.2% for Mild steel as a sacrificial electrode and 92.1%, 84.2%, and 88.6% for aluminium foil as a sacrificial electrode. The consumption of electrode and energy for both the electrodes of different configurations were calculated and compared. Using batch experimental data, a continuous-flow reactor was developed. Sludge analysis using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was done. Different adsorption kinetic models and isotherms were developed and it was found that pseudo second-order model and Langmuir isotherm fit best with the experimental data obtained.