Hybrid process combining ultrafiltration and electro-oxidation for COD and nonylphenol ethoxylate removal from industrial laundry wastewater.

Abstract

Laundry wastewater is a significant source of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO) at wastewater treatment plants, where its breakdown forms persistent nonylphenol (NP). NP poses risks as an endocrine disruptor in wildlife and humans. This study investigates the degradation of NPEO and COD in industrial laundry wastewater (LWW) using a two-stage process combining ultrafiltration (UF) and electro-oxidation (EO). UF was used to remove suspended solids, while soluble COD (COD₀ = 239 ± 6 mg.L^-1) and NPEO (NPEO₀ = 341 ± 8 μg.L^-1) were oxidized by the EO process. Different operating parameters were studied such as current density, electrolysis time, type of cathode and supporting electrolyte concentration. Using an experimental design methodology, the optimal conditions for COD and NPEO_3-17 degradation were recorded. This included achieving 97% degradation of NPEO_3-17 and 61% degradation of COD, with a total operating cost of 3.65 USD·m^-3. These optimal conditions were recorded at a current density of 15 mA cm^-2 for a 120-min reaction period in the presence of 4 g·Na₂SO₄ L^-1 using a graphite cathode. The EO process allowed for reaching the guidelines required for water reuse (NPEO <200 μg.L^-1, COD <100 mg.L^-1) in the initial laundry washing cycles. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that both NP and NPEO compounds, including higher and shorter ethoxylate chains (NPEO_3-17), were effectively degraded during the EO process, with removal efficiencies between 94% and 98%. This confirms the EO process's capability to effectively degrade NP, the by-product of NPEO breakdown.