Treatment of textile industry effluents by Electro-Coagulation and Electro-Fenton processes using solar energy: A comparative study

The discharge of textile wastewater into the ecosystem is a dramatic source of pollution, eutrophication, and unaesthetic disturbance in aquatic life. The present work aimed at the treatment of the polluted water from the Industrial Textile Company “SITEX” in Ksar Hallal town (Tunisia) using two alternative processes namely Electro-coagulation (EC), and Electro-Fenton (EF). The experiments were carried out with and without Sparging air (SA). Electricity used was provided by solar energy through photovoltaic panels. Results showed that the effluent discoloration reached 100% with all processes after 280 min of treatment. These processes without (SA) were able to reach Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) degradation until 80% and 85%, respectively. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) reached the same degradation returns. Treatment by EC and EF with (SA) reduced the COD to about 97% and 92%, respectively. TOC reached the same values. The economic Studies of electric energy consumption (SEEC) were observed in both conditions (with and without SA). The wear of electrodes was minimized, and their lifetimes were extended with SA.