Optimization of textile azo dye degradation by electrochemical oxidation using Box-Behnken design

Abstract

Degradation of textile azo dye solutions containing Methyl Orange by anodic oxidation using an electrochemical reactor was studied. The combined effect of independent parameters (current intensity, initial pH and electrolysis time) on color removal efficiency was investigated and optimized using response surface methodology. A Box-Behnken design was successfully employed for experimental design. The obtained quadratic model was statistically tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that the optimal operating conditions to achieve 98.51% efficiency for color removal were current intensity = 4.6 A, initial pH= 4 and electrolysis time = 65 min, at a dye concentration and temperature of 50 mg/L and 25 °C, respectively.