Abstract
Removal of organic pollutants from a highly complex industrial wastewater by aluminium and iron electrocoagulation assisted with hydrogen peroxide was evaluated. Under optimal conditions the electrochemical method yields a very effective reduction of all organic pollutants, which was enhanced when the hydrogen peroxide was applied during electrocoagulation. Treatment reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 92%, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) by 89%, color by 92%, turbidity by 95%, and total coliforms by 99%. The chemical species ditribution of aluminium and iron formed in aqueous solution are presented. Initial and final pollutant levels in the wastewater were monitored using UV-Vis spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Finally, the morphology and elemental composition of the sludge produced was characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion X-ray spectra (EDS).