Continuous treatment of textile wastewater by combined coagulation, electrochemical oxidation and activated sludge

Treatment of text wastewaters from a large dyeing and finishing mill by a continuous process of combined chemical coagulation, electrochemical oxidation and activated sludge treatment is investigated. The experimental results are assessed in terms of COD and color (turbidity) reductions to determine the overall treatment efficiency of the combined process. Operating variables, such as the wastewater flow rate, conductivity, pH, applied current and amount of polyaluminum chloride (PAC), are explored to determine their respective effects on the efficiency of the electrochemical oxidation of the textile wastewater. Optimum operating range for each of those operating variables are experimentally obtained. Economic evaluation of the combined treatment method indicates that it is highly competitive in comparison to the conventional treatment method practiced in the textile industry.