Removal of Turbidity from Domestic Wastewater Using Electrocoagulation: Optimization with Response Surface Methodology

• Published in: Chemistry Africa Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 123 - 134
• Main Authors: Bote, Million Ebba, Desta, Wendesen Mekonin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.02.2022
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Inorganic Chemistry; Organometallic Chemistry; Original Article; Electrocoagulation; Electrode; Domestic wastewater; RSM; Turbidity
• ISSN: 2522-5758; 2522-5766
• DOI: 10.1007/s42250-021-00303-2

Turbidity is one part of the physical characteristics of wastewater that is highly observed in domestic wastewater. The electrocoagulation process is an effective method by applying only electric current with sacrificial electrodes for the removal of turbidity from domestic wastewater under the consideration of different operating parameters. In this study, current (0.03–0.09 A), pH (3–9), and reaction time (15–45 min) were considered as operating parameters using Al–Fe and Fe–Al electrode combinations. The highest removal efficiency was achieved 91.23% and 96% at current − 0.09 A, pH—9, and reaction time—45 min using Al–Fe and Fe–Al electrode combinations respectively. The mathematical and statistical data were analyzed and also maximum optimization of the experimental investigation using response surface methodology was 91.053% for Al–Fe and 96.68% for Fe–Al electrode combination. The interaction of different operating parameters indicated that, the model was valid. In addition to this, the model was validated based on the percentage absolute error of deviation (AED) < 10% and the regression coefficient (R 2 ) > 0.7. Estimation of the operating cost of electrocoagulation was done for both electrode combinations depending on selected operating parameters that were based on energy consumption, electrode consumption, and cost of chemicals used up during the investigation.