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Electro-oxidation treatment of anaerobic digested effluent (Master thesis)

Παλάβρατζης, Αθανάσιος/ Palavratzis, Athanasios/ Oil and Gas Technology

Wastewater management is a significant concern for industries seeking for sustainable solutions to reduce environmental pollution. Electro-Oxidation (EO), an innovative electrochemical treatment technique, has surfaced as a potential technology thanks to its unique ability to decompose organic pollutants and generate valuable byproducts. This study examines the efficacy of electrooxidation in treating high-strength effluents, emphasizing pollutant elimination, energy optimization, and resource recovery. Experiments were conducted using a Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) anode and a titanium cathode to treat 400 mL of wastewater samples derived from anaerobic digestion units. Parameters including Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), pH, conductivity, temperature, and gas production were observed under different current conditions (0.6–0.9–1.2 A) with various salt quantities. Observations indicated substantial reductions in COD (up to 94%), enhanced clarity of the effluent, and the generation of hydrogen and oxygen gasses at the electrodes. Significantly, reduced current settings (0.6 A) delivered results comparable to greater currents, suggesting the feasibility of energy-efficient operation. The results indicate EO's efficacy in eliminating contaminants and producing beneficial byproducts, like hydrogen, applicable in clean energy and agricultural sectors. The observed phase separation further underscores EO's potential to enhance water quality and reduce turbidity. These findings emphasize EO's efficacy as a sustainable wastewater treatment technique that advantages industries, the environment, and the economy. This research strengthens the existing evidence that validates EO as a fundamental element for achieving a circular economy in wastewater management. Future research should investigate the scalability of electrochemical systems, innovative electrode materials, and the incorporation of resource recovery procedures to enhance industrial implementation