Comparison of Aluminum and Iron Electrodes for COD Reduction from Coffee Processing Wastewater by Electrocoagulation Process
G. Asha *
Department of Civil Engineering, Maharaja Institute of Technology, Mysore, India.
B. Manoj Kumar
Department of Environmental Engineering, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In the present study, applicability of aluminum and iron electrodes to remove COD in the coffee processing wastewater is evaluated by electrocoagulation method. Optimum electrolysis duration using aluminum and iron electrodes are observed as 45 and 60 minutes respectively. The COD remaining after the electrolysis duration of 105 minutes is 0.265 Kg \ m3 and 0.732 Kg \ m3 with energy consumption of 3.61 kWh / Kg removal of COD and 40 kWh / Kg removal of COD using aluminum and iron electrodes respectively. A comparison of variations in the trends of COD removal using aluminum and iron electrodes by electrochemical process is observed. The study revealed that electrochemical treatment using aluminum electrode is better in comparison with iron electrode with satisfactory results of 97% and 89% COD removal efficiency and decolorization.
Keywords: Electrocoagulation, electrolysis, electrodes, coffee, aluminum, iron