Combination of electrocoagulation and bioethanol to reduce laundry waste surfactant levels

Abstract

Detergents commonly used in the laundry business contain several chemical compounds, one of which is surfactants. Indiscriminate disposal of laundry waste can affect the ecosystem of water bodies, namely the accumulation of foam on the surface of the water. This can cause a lack of oxygen obtained by the aquatic biota below. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the combination of electrocoagulation and bioethanol in reducing surfactant levels of laundry waste. Knowing the optimal conditions for processing of laundry waste with a combination of electrocoagulation and bioethanol. Surfactant levels before treatment were obtained at 263.39 mg/l. The study used several variables including contact time (30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes), voltage (8, 10, and 12 volts), and the addition of bioethanol volume (10, 15, and 20 ml). The study's key findings highlight the effectiveness of combining electrocoagulation and bioethanol in treating laundry wastewater. The surfactant levels, initially measured at 263.39 mg/L, were reduced significantly through the process. Without the addition of bioethanol, the highest removal percentage achieved was 97.35%. However, with the addition of bioethanol, the removal percentage increased to 97.71%, demonstrating the enhanced efficiency of the method. Optimal conditions for treatment were identified at a contact time of 90 minutes, a voltage of 12 volts, and a bioethanol volume of 20 ml. These findings confirm that the integration of bioethanol into the electrocoagulation process effectively improves surfactant removal from laundry wastewater.