Electrochemical Oxidation of Organic Pollutants for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

This chapter presents the electrochemical oxidation of organic pollutants for wastewater treatment. Industrial wastewater contains organic pollutants which have to be treated before the water can be discharged. The electrochemical method for the treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants has attracted a great deal of attention recently. Mainly because of the ease of control and the increased efficiencies provided by the use of new electrode material and compact bipolar electrochemical reactor. The chapter examines the anodic oxidation of some benzene derivatives (model organic pollutants) at platinum and DSA type anodes to elucidate the possibilities of the electrochemical method and to elucidate the mechanism of the reaction. During the electrochemical treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants a side reaction of oxygen evolution always occurs resulting in a decrease in current efficiency of oxidation. Two methods have been used for the determination of the current efficiency during the electrochemical oxidation of the organic pollutant (OP): the oxygen flow rate method and the COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) method. The electrochemical method for the treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants is economically viable only if high Electrochemical Oxidation Index (EOI) and Electrochemical Oxygen Demand (EOD) values can be achieved.