COD reduction studies of paper mill effluent using a batch recirculation electrochemical method

The conventional method of treating pulp and paper mill effluent involves the biological oxidation by bacterial action of aerobic and anaerobic conditions and aerobic lagooning method, which are less efficiency of removing COD. To overcome the drawbacks of the existing treatment process, in the present work an attempt has been made to study the electro oxidative destruction of the pulp and paper mill effluent using an electrochemical method and the effect of various parameters such as concentration of supporting electrolytes, current densities, flow rates of electrolyte and reservoir volumes of the effluent were conducted. From the experimental results it is observed that the rate of reduction of COD of the effluent increased with an increase in the supporting electrolyte (sodium chloride) concentration, current density where as it decreased with increase in the reservoir volume and the flow rate of electrolyte. The residence time distributions studies have also been conducted to study the behavior of the electrochemical reactor.