Abstract
The use of electrochemistry is a promising approach for the treatment of direct osmosis concentrate that contains a high concentration of organic pollutants and has high osmotic pressure, to achieve the safe discharge of effluent. This work addresses, for the first time, this major environmental challenge using perforated aluminum electrodes mounted in an electrocoagulation–flotation cell (PA-ECF). The design of the experiments, the modeling, and the optimization of the PA-ECF conditions for the treatment of DO concentrate rich in Pb were explored using a central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). Therefore, the CCD-RSM was employed to optimize and study the effect of the independent variables, namely electrolysis time (5.85 min to 116.15 min) and current intensity (0.09 A to 2.91 A) on Pb removal. Optimal values of the process parameters were determined as an electrolysis time of 77.65 min and a current intensity of 0.9 A. In addition to Pb removal (97.8%), energy consumption, electrode mass-consumed material, and operating cost were estimated as 0.0025 kWh/m3, 0.217 kg Al/m3, and 0.423 USD/m3, respectively. In addition, it was found that DO concentrate obtained from metallurgical wastewater can be recovered through PA-ECF (almost 94% Pb removal). This work demonstrated that the PA-ECF technique could became a viable process applicable in the treatment of DO concentrate containing Pb-rich for reuse.
Highlights
Environmental pollution related to heavy metals increasingly concerns the research community due to industrial development [1,2]
The central composite design (CCD) was used to define the effect of both individual parameters and their interactions with the response variable (% Pb removal)
The CCD-response surface methodology (RSM) was used successfully as a statistical tool, which reduces the number of trials and optimizes the operating factors
Summary
Environmental pollution related to heavy metals increasingly concerns the research community due to industrial development [1,2]. Improper discharge of effluents containing hazardous heavy metals such as lead (Pb) to water bodies will pose irreparable risks to aquatic organisms and, humans [3,4]. Improper discharge of untreated industrial wastewater containing Pb such as paper printing, electroplating, pigments, ammunition, petrol, metal pleating, and metallurgy is one of the leading causes of water contamination [5,6]. As stated in the framework of the European water policy, Pb is listed as a priority substance due to its persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation. The threshold limit for the presence of Pb in water is 10 ng mL−1 according to the European Council. Lead can affect the reproductive system and many organs of the human body, such as the liver and kidneys, and alter brain functions. On the other hand, prolonged exposure to Pb can cause induce sterility, abortion, and neonatal deaths
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
