Optimization and kinetic modeling of electrocoagulation treatment of dairy wastewater

The main objective of this work was the treatment of dairy wastewater by electrocoagulation using aluminum electrodes. Effects of operating parameters, such as, electrolysis time (0–60 min), initial pH (2–12), current density (2.5–35 mA/cm2), and electrolyte concentration (NaCl), were evaluated for optimal conditions. The experimental results revealed that the greatest removal efficiencies of the overall turbidity, COD, and BOD5 attained, respectively, 98.91, 74.56, and 96.28% at the optimum conditions (operating time of 30 min, initial pH of 7, current density of 14 mA/cm2, and electrolyte concentration of 1 g/L). For these optimal parameter values, the energy consumption was about 3.36 kWh/m3. Adsorption kinetic showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-first-order reaction.