Electro-oxidation of pistachio processing industry wastewater using graphite anode

Abstract

In the present study, removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), and total phenols (TP) from pistachio processing industry wastewater was investigated using electro-oxidation. COD, TOC, and TP removal efficiencies were compared considering stirring speed, support electrolyte types, support electrolyte concentrations, wastewater initial pH, and current density by using stainless steel cathodes and graphite anodes. Results showed that optimum values of operating variables, i.e., processing time, stirring speed, wastewater pH, current density, and support electrolyte (NaCl), were 5h, 400rpm, 3, 30mA/cm(2), and 1.25M, respectively. Removal efficiencies of 99.79, 76.55, and 100% were obtained with these values for COD, TOC, and TP, respectively. Removal of COD, TOC, and TP increased with increased chloride concentration and current density at acidic pH.