Electrochemical treatment of fresh, brine and saline produced water generated by petrochemical industry using Ti/IrO2–Ta2O5 and BDD in flow reactor

Abstract

This study compares the anodic oxidation of three classes of produced water (PW) (fresh, brine and saline) generated by petrochemical industry using Ti/IrO2–Ta2O5 and BDD electrodes in a flow reactor. During electrochemical treatment, various operating parameters were investigated, such as temperature, pH, conductivity, current density, total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD) as well as energy consumption and cost. When both electrodes materials are compared under the same operating conditions, higher TOC and COD removal efficiencies were achieved for BDD anode, nevertheless, the energy consumption and cost were higher when compared with the values estimated for Ti/IrO2–Ta2O5. Different Cl– concentrations in the effluents promoted the electrogeneration of strong oxidant species, such as chlorine and hypochlorite, increasing the efficiency of treatment. These results encourage the applicability of this method as a pre-treatment process for the petrochemical industry, reducing depuration time.