Author : M. Shruthi , K. S. Lokesh , B. M. Krishna and Usha N Murthy

Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have led the way in the treatment of industrial waste and are rapidly becoming the chosen technology for many applications. Color of the distillery effluent is dark brown due to melanoidin pigment which is a serious problem concern in environmental point of view. In this paper, Color reduction potential of Bio-Digester effluent (BDE) by electrochemical treatment with and without Fenton reagent, as one of the AOPs, was experimentally evaluated. Treatment of the wastewater was carried out by an electrochemical batch reactor equipped with two aluminum electrodes, which were connected parallel to each other. The oxidation process was studied for optimization of Electro- duration, H2O2, Fe(II), pH and current density. In this process, maximum color removal was 94% for 140 min for Electrocoagulation without Fenton reagent at pH 7 at 0.03A/cm2 and 84.28% at optimum operating condition such as when pH = 7, Fe2+ = 400mg/L, H2O2 = 500mg/L , H2O2/Fe2+ mass ratio = 1.25 for 80 min at 0.03A/cm2. Thus, electrochemical treatment with and without Fenton reagent in color removal proves to be effective and efficient treatment technology.

Keywords: AOP’s; Electrocoagulation; Fenton reagent; Color removal; Aluminum electrodes.

Article published in the Proceedings of National Conference on ‘Women in Science & Engineering’ (NCWSE 2013), SDMCET Dharwad