Testing an electrochemical method for treatment of textile dye wastewater

Wastewater from total dyeing and finishing stages (TDFW) and wastewater only from dyeing stage (DW) from a Textile cellulosic reactive azo dyeing process were treated separately by an electrochemical method using Ti/Pt as anode and Stainless Steel 304 as cathode. In this technique, sodium chloride was used as an electrolyte and the mixture was passed through an electrolytic cell. Due to the strong oxidizing potential of the chemicals produced (chlorine, oxygen, hydroxyl radicals and other oxidants) the COD, BOD of the wastewaters were substantially decreased using this electrochemical technique. A number of experiments were run in a batch 5 litre apparatus and the results of the electrochemical treatment on the two kinds of wastewaters are reported here. The results indicate that the electrochemical method used is feasible for treatment of textile dyeing wastewaters.