Electrochemical treatment of two health-care wastewaters – A comparative study

ABSTRACT

Organics removal from health-care wastewaters (HCWWs) is of prime concern worldwide. Water reclamation along with treatment using electrochemical technique was achieved in the present research. Partial mineralization was achieved using two-dimensional (2D) iron electrodes for cell voltages of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 V for an electrolysis time (ET) of 60 min for a fixed SA/V specific electrode area to a volume of 40 m²m⁻³. The maximum COD and TDS removal of 88.4% and 58.44% was obtained for Government HCWW compared to private HCWW of 79.5% and 50.6%, respectively, at 12 V for 60 min ET. ECC experiments were also carried out for discrete ETs for optimized 12 V cell voltage. Along with COD and TDS, other quality parameters were also analyzed after 1 h hydraulic retention time (HRT). After ECC, total alkalinity, chloride, and total solids significantly reduced from their initial values. ECC showed good disinfection potential by lysing pathogens in HCWWs at 45–60 min ET. Post ECC slurry for both HCWWs showed good filterability. The current efficiency (CE) was 200–220% and specific energy consumption (SEC) was 25–80 kWh/kg of COD removed for 45–60 min ET. Water reclamation of 80–85% was possible after settling, followed by filterability of treated supernatant for both HCWWs.

KEYWORDS:

• Chemical oxygen demand
• iron electrodes
• electrochemical treatment
• healthcare wastewater
• HRT
• filterability
• sludge

Acknowledgements

The authors thank JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru Karnataka State, India, for providing research infrastructure in the specialized electrochemical treatment laboratory in the department of Environmental Engineering to carry out this research work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.