Optimization of paper mill industry wastewater treatment by electrocoagulation and electro-Fenton processes using response surface methodology

This study deals with chemical oxygen demand (COD), phenol and Ca removal from paper mill industry wastewater by electrocoagulation (EC) and electro-Fenton (EF) processes. A response surface methodology (RSM) approach was employed to evaluate the effects and interactions of the process variables and to optimize the performance of both processes. Significant quadratic polynomial models were obtained (R = 0.959, R = 0.993 and R = 0.969 for COD, phenol and Ca removal, respectively, for EC and R = 0.936, R = 0.934 and R = 0.890 for COD, phenol and Ca removal, respectively). Numerical optimization based on desirability function was employed; in a 27.55 min trial, 34.7% of COD removal was achieved at pH 9 and current density 96 mA/cm for EC, whereas in a 30 min trial, 74.31% of COD removal was achieved at pH 2 and current density 96 mA/cm and HO/COD molar ratio 2.0 for EF. The operating costs were calculated to be 6.44 €/m for EC and 7.02 €/m for EF depending on energy and electrode consumption at optimum conditions. The results indicate that the RSM is suitable for the design and optimization of both of the processes. However, EF process was a more effective technology for paper mill industry wastewater treatment as compared with EC.