Evaluation of electrochemical treatment of real hospital wastewater with different electrode materials

Abstract

In this paper, the treatment of real hospital wastewater (HWW) by electrocoagulation process (EC), which is one of the electrochemical treatment methods, has been evaluated. In the EC process, aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) plates as anode and cathode are used. Experimental studies were conducted at 5, 10, 20, 30 voltage (V) and 5, 10, 20, 30, 45 minutes (min) exposure times. pH, temperature, and conductivity were monitored. COD and phenol removal were evaluated. As a result of experimental studies, Al and Fe electrodes were effective in the treatment of HWW with EC. The highest COD removal efficiency was 93% at 30V 10 min and 95% at 30V 5 min for Al and Fe electrode, respectively. The highest phenol removal efficiency is 97% at 10V 10 min and 97% at 10V 5 min for Al and Fe electrode. When all parameters are evaluated, optimum electro kinetic conditions for treatment of HWW was obtained for 10V 5 min by the Fe electrode.