Pollutants removal in electrocoagulation of detergent wastewater

Abstract

Detergent wastewater contains pollutants, mainly nutrients (phosphor), that have harmful impact on the environment (eutrophication). Electrocoagulation is an alternative for treatment of detergent waste, so that the levels of pollutants contained in the wastewater can be reduced and the treated wastewater can be discharged to the environment safely. The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of voltage and contact time on the electrocoagulation process using aluminum electrodes in removing nutrients and other pollutants of detergent wastewater. The electrocoagulation process was carried out using aluminum electrodes. The detergent wastewater before and after treatments were characterized, and the effect of voltage and process duration on removal of pollutant levels in detergent waste was analyzed to determine the best operating condition of the treatment. The voltage of 15, 18, 21 and 24 volts were evaluated at various durations of electrocoagulation process. The results showed that the electrocoagulation process was able to reduce ammonium and phosphate and also color parameter, turbidity, TSS, MBAS and COD. The pH parameter values increased during the electrocoagulation process. The best combination of treatments was identified at 21 volts for 120 minutes, with an energy consumption of 0.084 kWh/liter and an estimated cost of only Rp 377/liter.