Optimization of Phenol Removal Using Ti/PbO2 Anode with Response Surface Methodology

Scale-up of a lead dioxide (PbO2) anode system is significant to the practical application of electrochemical oxidation (EO) in biorefractory wastewater treatment. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the effects of different operating conditions on phenol removal by electro-oxidation with a Ti/PbO2 anode. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the electro-oxidation process and to evaluate the individual and interactions effects of current intensity, electrolysis time, and recirculation flow rate on phenol removal. Synthetic wastewater (or distillate water) with phenol concentration of 10mg/L-1 was used in this study. Optimal conditions for phenol removal were established at 1.12A current intensity, 40min electrolysis time, and 188mLmin-1 recirculation flow rate, in which a removal of 78.97 +/- 1.72% was achieved. The decay kinetics of phenol removal was fitted a first-order reaction.