COD Reduction in Effluent from Southern Pars Gas Refinery Using Electrocoagulation

Abstract

The present paper investigates the feasibility of treating the effluent from Southern Pars Gas Refinery by electrocoagulation using aluminum electrodes. Al3+ species and hydrogen ions have been shown to evolve at both Al-based cathode and anode. In this study, the effects of such operating parameters as pH, Na2SO4, poly aluminum chloride dosage, and current density on organic pollutant and COD removals have been studied. The optimum operating range for each operating variable was experimentally determined. Based on the results, organic pollutants and COD removal rates showed to increase by increasing current density, poly aluminum chloride, and Na2SO4.The highest removal efficiency was achieved at pH 7. Results also revealed that more than 95% of the COD was removed when the effluent was treated for 90 min at a current density of 40 mAcm-2. Power consumption for this removal level was measured to be 19/48 kwh per kg COD removal.

Keywords

• Electrocoagolation
• COD
• Oily wastewater treatment
• Aluminum Electrodes
• Southern Pars Gas Refinery