Optimization of energy costs in the pretreatment of olive mill wastewaters by electrocoagulation


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Coskun T., İlhan F., Manav Demir N., Debik E., Kurt U.

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY, vol.33, pp.801-807, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 33
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/09593330.2011.595829
  • Journal Name: ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.801-807
  • Keywords: chemical oxygen demand removal, electrocoagulation, modelling, olive mill wastewaters, pretreatment, WASTE-WATER TREATMENT, ELECTROCHEMICAL TREATMENT, PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS, REMOVAL, OXIDATION, FENTON, DETOXIFICATION, EFFLUENT, INDUSTRY, COD
  • Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, the electrocoagulation process was evaluated as a pretreatment process for olive mill wastewaters. Aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) electrodes, several contact times and 0.5, 1 and 2 A currents were used to compare chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies for each case. The optimum contact time and current were 45 minutes and 1 A, respectively, which resulted in a COD removal of 58.7% with an Al electrode. Experimental data from distinct operational conditions were used to fit a model for COD removal efficiencies. Energy consumption was also predicted. Under optimum operational conditions, the treatment cost was approximately (sic)0.13 kg(-1) CODremoved and (sic)4.41 m(-3). The results showed that the electrocoagulation process was a cost-effective method for the pretreatment of olive mill wastewaters.