Impact of continuous electrochemical degradation of eucalyptus alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping wastewater

Abstract

Levels of pollutants in pulp and papermaking wastewater are an important issue for environmental protection. High concentrations of contaminants can seriously affect the environment if they are not processed. Therefore, treating paper wastewater is a necessary option for governments to select appropriate treatment methods to remove the multi-component pollutants. In this study, the impact of continuous electro-degradation of eucalyptus alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping wastewater was studied. An electrolytic treatment method performed at a low voltage was used. Through the electrolysis method, the wastewater chemical oxygen demand was decreased by 98%, and color-generating groups were nearly all destroyed. During the electrolysis process, the pH value of wastewater continuously decreased and finally reached 2.5. Lowering the pH of the waste solution will help increase the electrolysis efficiency of the wastewater. A total of 5.8 g of alkali was obtained. The wastewater precipitation before and after electrolysis was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopies.