Application of Electrocoagulation for the Removal of Color from Institutional Wastewater: Analysis with Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

The removal percentage of color from institutional wastewater was studied using an electrocoagulation process with different electrode combination at the anode and cathode. This was done by considering operational parameters such as pH at (3, 6 and 9), current at (0.03A, 0.06A and 0.09A) and reaction time at (20, 40 and 60 minutes). When electrode combined in the form of Al-Al (anode-Cathode/Cathode-Anode) and Fe-Fe (anode-Cathode/Cathode-Anode) the percentage removal of color was up to 95.50% and 97.24% respectively. On the other hand around 98.03% and 91.95% of color was removed when Al-Fe (Anode-Cathode) and Fe-Al (Anode-Cathode) combined at pH 9 and 60 minutes of reaction time respectively. Central composite design from response surface methodology was used up to analysis the statistical and mathematical data based on experimental results such as the model was significant for all electrode combinations. Similarly a quadratic model was used for further study of operational effects on the removal (%) of color from institutional wastewater. The value of coefficient of the determination (R2) also indicated the model was a good fit as well as optimization was done by Response Surface Methodology.