Optimization of continuous electrocoagulation-adsorption combined process for the treatment of a textile effluent

The aims of this study is to design and optimize the functioning of a full continuous combined process based on electrocoagulaion-adsorption on crude Tunisian clay to treat a real textile effluent. The clay characterization shows that the used clay is a rich-smectite clay. The response surface methodology (RSM) technique based on Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to optimize the process. At optimum conditions which are initial pH solution of 8.24, effluent flow rate of 0.5 L.min(-)(1), voltage of 70 V, and added suspension of clay flow rate of 100 ml.min(-1) the achieved color, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solid (TSS) removal efficiencies were respectively 96.87%, 89.77% and 84.46% with 0.75USD.m(-)(3) as total cost. The additional laboratory experiments at optimum conditions agree with the predicted results, which confirm the accuracy and the capability of RSM to predict results in the defined space. Finally the designed process could be a good eco-friendly alternative to treat and reuse wastewater in industrial process with reasonable cost. (C) 2021 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study aims to design and optimize a full continuous combined process based on electrocoagulation-adsorption to treat real textile effluent using Tunisian clay. The characterization of the clay confirms its suitability for the process. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the process parameters, and the achieved removal efficiencies for color, COD, and TSS were satisfactory, accompanied by a reasonable cost. The results of additional laboratory experiments validated the accuracy and capability of RSM for predicting outcomes in defined conditions. The designed process offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative for treating and reusing wastewater in industrial processes.