Electrocoagulation/Electroflotation Process for Removal of Organics and Microplastics in Laundry Wastewater

In the present research, laundry wastewater treatment is studied using the electrocoagulation/electroflotation process. For the optimization of treatment conditions such as electrode type (Al-Al, Al-Fe, Fe-Fe, and Fe-Al), initial pH (5-9), current (0.54-2.16 A), and application time (15-60 min), response surface methodology is used. Removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, anionic surfactant, microplastic, and phosphate are studied. It is determined that the most effective removal is obtained with 2.16 A current, pH 9, and 60 min reaction time using Fe-Al electrode. Here, 91%, 94%, 100%, and 98% removal efficiencies are achieved for COD, surfactant, color, and microplastic, respectively. The operating cost of the combined process is calculated as $1.32 m(-3) for the optimum removal parameters. The adsorption kinetics study shows that the removal follows second-order kinetics. The laboratory-scale test results indicate that the electrocoagulation/electroflotation process is feasible for the treatment of laundry wastewater.

Automated summary

In this research, laundry wastewater treatment using the electrocoagulation/electroflotation process was studied and optimized conditions were determined. The Fe-Al electrode, 2.16 A current, pH 9, and 60 min reaction time were found to be the most effective combination for removal. The results demonstrate the feasibility of this process for treating laundry wastewater.