Removal of Ammonium from Tannery Wastewater by Electrochemical Treatment

Abstract

The removal of ammonium from coagulated tannery wastewaters was investigated by an electrochemical method using Ti/IrO₂ as an anode. Operating variables including the current density, pH and chloride concentration were considered in order to determine their effect on the ammonium removal efficiency. A maximum ammonium removal rate of 78.9% was achieved after 30 min of electrochemical treatment with 4 A dm⁻² of current density. During the electrolysis, it had been observed that the ammonium removal was accompanied with an elimination of the organics. Generation of hydroxyl radical was identified during the experiment with hydroxyl radical probe compound of pCBA. Chloride ion worked as the scavenger of hydroxyl radical. Role of free chlorine was the main oxidant for the elimination of ammonium and organic substances. As a result, the biodegradability of tannery wastewater increased after electrochemical treatment. The energy consumed per 1 kg of ammonium removal was 26.6 kWh for initial NH₄-N concentration of 870 mg L⁻¹.

Keywords:

• Ammonium removal
• Electrocatalytic electrode
• Electrochemical treatment
• Refractory pollutant
• Tannery wastewater
• Wastewater treatment