Evaluation of E-Fenton Process in Decolourization of Azo Dye (Congo Red) using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Today there is a great focus on reusing the effluent water in the dyeing process. The objective of this research work is to effectively remove colour from textile wastewater using Electro Fenton (E-Fenton) process. E-Fenton process is the combination of Fenton and electrochemical processes. In this study decolorization of Congo red dye was investigated by E-Fenton process in a continuous reactor equipped with iron electrodes. Experiments were carried out in a reactor of working volume of 1L. The degree of decolourisation varies with the operating parameters. The optimal working conditions were maintained with an electrode potential difference of 2V, 40°C, pH 4. For Electro Fenton's process the parameters giving the highest efficiency were decolourisation percentage of 97%. The process parameters were optimized by using response surface methodology to understand the effectiveness of the interactions of variables when the maximum decolourization can be achieved. The experimental results proved that the combination of Fenton and Electrochemical process was an excellent method for treatment of textile wastewater.