Performance investigation of the hybrid methods of adsorption or catalytic wet air oxidation subsequent to electrocoagulation in treatment of real textile wastewater and kinetic modelling

The performances of two hybrid wastewater treatment methods were compared to determine which method is more effective for improving the reusability of textile industry wastewater as irrigation water. In the hybrid treatment processes, either adsorption or catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) was performed subsequent to the electrocoagulation. The performances of the adsorption and catalytic wet air oxidation methods were evaluated according to the irrigation water criteria. Rice husk based activated carbon (RHAC) was used as adsorbent and catalyst support material in the adsorption and CWAO, respectively. BiNiO3-RHAC catalyst was prepared and used in CWAO process. The irrigation water criteria for total organic carbon (TOC), turbidity, and color were met and 91 % TOC reduction was achieved after the sequential application of electrocoagulation and adsorption. Freundlich isotherm and second order adsorption kinetics were regarded as the most suitable models to fit the adsorption data. The application of electrocoagulation and catalytic wet air oxidation yielded 62 % TOC removal whereas the oxidation reaction followed a two-step second order reaction kinetics.

Automated summary

This study compared the effectiveness of electrocoagulation and adsorption as well as catalytic wet air oxidation for improving the reusability of textile industry wastewater. The sequential application of electrocoagulation and adsorption resulted in a high TOC removal rate.