Electrochemical degradation of cresols for wastewater treatment

This paper presents the results of the electrochemical degradation of cresols for wastewater treatment. The experiments were performed in an electrochemical undivided cell reactor using a Ti/TiO2-RuO2-IrO2 anode. Preliminary experiments were conducted using sodium chloride and sodium sulfate as supporting electrolytes to study the effects on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Operating variables such as the initial pH, chloride concentration, initial cresol concentration, charge input, and current densities were studied using chloride as the supporting electrolyte for maximum degradation. The current efficiency and energy consumption during the degradation were calculated. The present investigation showed the formation of a higher concentration of adsorbable organic halides at the beginning of electrolysis, but this decreased to lower levels during prolonged electrolysis. The total organic carbon removal values were between 50 and 60% though maximum COD removal values were achieved.