Optimization of the Performance of Ultrasonic Irradiation for the Treatment of Textile Wastewater: Synergetic Effect of US and Advanced Oxidation

Acoustic cavitation and the physical effects of ultrasound have gained recently much attention as promising techniques for the degradation of recalcitrant organics in water such as dye. This article primarily focuses on the removal of Indigo dye substances from real textile wastewater samples using standalone ultrasonication and advanced oxidation-assisted ultrasonication. The ultrasonic treatment was optimized using a central composite design (CCD) (29 experiments, 4 factors) as a response surface methodology. Various design experimental factors (frequency, pH, initial concentration, and temperature) were investigated. The design response considered was the COD removal after 2 h of sonication. The optimal values of frequency, pH, initial concentration, and temperature were 578 kHz, 2, 1000 mg/L, and 35 degrees C respectively. At the aforementioned optimal factors, the US showed ultimate COD and decolorization efficiency of 16% and 59%, respectively. To get more details, a kinetic model for the rate of COD removal using non-linear regression analysis was developed and the validity of the model was tested. The rate of COD removal followed pseudo-first-order kinetics for the sonicated textile wastewater. Moreover, the dye degradation intermediate products were identified by GC-MS analysis. The results showed that both Indigotine and Indigo carmine were broken down into smaller chemical compounds. Finally, the decolorization efficiency of dyes using oxidation-assisted US (H2O2 and Fenton process) and using physicochemical treatment (coagulation/flocculation) was measured. A maximum decolorization efficiency of 94% was achieved in the sample treated by Sono-Fenton using 15 mM ferrous sulfate.

Automated summary

Acoustic cavitation and ultrasound have been recognized as promising techniques for degrading organic pollutants in water. This study focuses on the removal of Indigo dye from real textile wastewater using ultrasonication and advanced oxidation-assisted ultrasonication. The effects of various experimental factors on the ultrasonic treatment were investigated, and a kinetic model for COD removal was developed.