Post-treatment of pretreated paper mill effluent via the electro-persulfate process: Optimization with response surface methodology approach
Environmental Research and Technology, cilt.9, sa.5, ss.983-992, 2026 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 9 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.35208/ert.1800086
- Dergi Adı: Environmental Research and Technology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Central & Eastern European Academic Source (CEEAS), Environment Index, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.983-992
- Anahtar Kelimeler: COD removal, electro-persulfate process, electrooxidation, oxone, Paper mill effluent, wastewater treatment
- Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study examined the post-treatment of pre-treated paper industry wastewater obtained via electrocoagulation (EC) using Fe–Fe electrodes. The pre-treated wastewater was further treated with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation using platinium (Pt)/titanium dioxide (TiO2) anode and graphite cathode. Process optimization was conducted using a response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box–Behnken design (BBD) to systematically evaluate the effects of applied current, initial pH, PMS dosage, and reaction time on COD removal efficiency and energy consumption. The ANOVA results confirmed the statistical significance and strong predictive ability of the developed model. The model exhibited high R2 values (R2 = 0.9615 and Adj R2 = 0.9230), an adequate signal-to-noise ratio, and a non-significant lack of fit. The optimization results of the electropersulfate (EP) process show that the main parameters influencing COD removal and specific energy consumption (SEC) are the applied current and time. These results indicate that the model reliably optimizes COD removal. Optimal conditions for maximizing COD removal were predicted to be a current of 4.32 A, a pH of 8, a PMS dose of 16.3 mM, and a reaction time of 80 min. These conditions were expected to achieve 99.9% COD removal. However, the experimental results showed 92.3% ± 2.3% COD removal, 86.3% ± 2.8% tannin/lignin removal, and 57.2% ± 6.03% additional color removal. These results underscore the EP process's effectiveness and flexibility for industrial wastewater post-treatment, allowing for adjustments in treatment performance and energy requirements.