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Jun 26, 2023

Optimization of Electro-Charge Loading in Electrocoagulation Using Response Surface Methodology for the Abatement of Salicylic Acid from Wastewater

Authors: Azhan Ahmad, Aff.M.ASCE [email protected], Monali Priyadarshini, S.M.ASCE [email protected], Makarand M. Ghangrekar, Aff.M.ASCE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0691-9873 [email protected], and Rao Y. Surampalli, Aff.M.ASCE [email protected]Author Affiliations
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 9
https://doi.org/10.1061/JOEEDU.EEENG-7317
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Abstract

The present investigation demonstrates a batch electrocoagulation (EC) process performance for the abatement of salicylic acid–laden wastewater. The electro-charge loading optimization was assessed using response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD) model. The EC at an optimum electro-charge loading of 20.69  Fm−3 in the presence of NaCl electrolyte with concentration of 1  g L−1 and a pH of 7.0, resulted in 88.38%±3.52% reduction of salicylic acid with an initial concentration of 50  mg L−1. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression equation resulted in a p-value of <0.05, F-value of 113.65, and a unit value of desirability for the optimized model, suggesting the model is statistically significant. Moreover, at an optimum surface-to-volume ratio (S/V) of 6.8  m3  m−2, about 1.23  kWh m−3 of energy consumption was observed. Further, in the case of chemical coagulation, about 37%±2.2% removal efficiency of salicylic acid was obtained at an optimum pH and alum dose of 7.0 and 250  mg L−1, respectively. Also, the EC process demonstrated satisfactory performance during the treatment of real institutional wastewater spiked with 50  mg L−1 of salicylic acid by achieving 75.2%±5.7% removal efficacy at optimum operating conditions. Finally, the sludge characterization revealed the presence of metal hydroxide species [Al(OH)3] flocs, responsible for effectively adsorbing and separating salicylic acid molecules from wastewater.

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Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the authors.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, for providing financial assistance to this research project [File No. DST/TMD (EWO)/OWUIS-2018/RS-10].
Author contributions: Azhan Ahmad: conceptualization; formal analysis; investigation; methodology; roles/writing—original draft; and writing—review and editing. Monali Priyadarshini: validation; visualization; roles/writing—original draft; data curation; writing—review and editing; and investigation. M. M. Ghangrekar: funding acquisition; project administration; resources; supervision; validation; and writing—review and editing. Rao Y. Surampalli: supervision; validation; and writing—review and editing.

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Information & Authors

Information

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Go to Journal of Environmental Engineering
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 9 • September 2023

Copyright

© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.

History

Received: Jan 12, 2023
Accepted: May 3, 2023
Published online: Jun 26, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Nov 26, 2023

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ASCE Technical Topics:

  1. Acids
  2. Analysis (by type)
  3. Chemical compounds
  4. Chemical processes
  5. Chemical properties
  6. Chemicals
  7. Chemistry
  8. Coagulation
  9. Design (by type)
  10. Engineering fundamentals
  11. Environmental engineering
  12. Industrial wastes
  13. Load factors
  14. Models (by type)
  15. Optimization models
  16. pH
  17. Pollutants
  18. Regression analysis
  19. Solid wastes
  20. Statistical analysis (by type)
  21. Structural design
  22. Wastes
  23. Wastewater management
  24. Water treatment

Authors

Affiliations

Azhan Ahmad, Aff.M.ASCE [email protected]
Research Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India. Email: [email protected]
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Monali Priyadarshini, S.M.ASCE [email protected]
Research Scholar, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India. Email: [email protected]
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Makarand M. Ghangrekar, Aff.M.ASCE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0691-9873 [email protected]
Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India (corresponding author). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0691-9873. Email: [email protected]
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Rao Y. Surampalli, Aff.M.ASCE [email protected]
President and CEO, Global Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, P.O. Box 14354, Lenexa, KS 66285. Email: [email protected]
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