Integration of Sequential Electrocoagulation and Adsorption for Effective Removal of Color and Total Organic Carbon in Textile Effluents and its Utilization for Seed Germination and Irrigation

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the performance of the sequential electrocoagulation process (ECP) combined with the adsorption phenomena (AP) by powdered activated carbon (PAC) is a highly effective and environmentally friendly method of treating textile effluents. The discharge of textile effluent into any stream would affect the growth of living organisms and the environment due to its increased colour and total organic carbon (TOC). This scientific work ease out the removal of toxic textile industry effluents such as high concentrations of colour and TOC by using the synthesized CaCl2–powdered activated carbon (PAC) derived from coconut shells combined with ECP (ECP–PAC). Initially, PAC was characterized by FE-SEM, XRD, Raman, BET, FTIR, and TGA studies. Subsequently, the pilot scale ECP batch reactor was designed and constructed with iron (Fe) as an anode and copper (Cu) as a cathode combined with the PAC adsorption process (5g/L of PAC and 30 min). Importantly, the combination of ECP–PAC has achieved a higher degree of treatment efficiency in shorter reaction time with lower energy consumption as compared to the ECP. i.e., 15 min duration was required to degrade 98% of the colour content of industrial textile effluent, and 30 min duration was required to reduce the higher concentration of TOC level of 96%. Moreover, the other parameters in the ECP or ECP–PAC such as pH (6-9), current density (0-50 mA/cm2), time (0-30 min), electrode combinations (Fe-Cu), and so on were optimized. Finally, to understand the physicochemical properties of the treated water, seed germination of mung bean and chlorophyll content tests were convincingly carried out. Accordingly, tests on the seed germination of mung beans and chlorophyll contents tests have revealed that the ECP–PAC treated water is appropriate for irrigation. Thus, the methodology of treating textile effluent could have been an effective strategy for decreasing freshwater consumption in agricultural areas and increasing water availability in areas of water shortages.