Batch electrochemical coagulation of real textile wastewater using Cu-SS and SS-Cu electrode combinations and its settleability aspects

Copper and stainless steel electrodes were used in batch electrochemical coagulation (BECC) for the treatment of real textile wastewater using 16 electrode combinations. Out of 16 Cu-SS and SS-Cu combinations (eight combinations each), only 4SS and 3SS-1Cu electrodes operated at cell voltage of 18 V and current density of 180 A/m2 gave maximum color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals. The COD removal was observed to be 89.37% for 4SS and 72.34% for 3SS 1Cu electrodes from CODo 3,012 mg/L. Color removal was 97% and 98% from its initial value of 1,000 Pt-Co unit for 4SS and 3SS-1Cu combinations. Water quality parameters like total dissolved solids, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, and sulphate reduced from their initial values while using all 4SS and 3SS-1Cu electrode arrangements. Other control factors exercised for optimal operations were ECC floc settling pattern and sludge volume index (SVI). SVI values were found to be <100 mL/g for both electrode combinations.