Application of electrocoagulation for treatment of medical waste sterilization plant wastewater and optimization of the experimental conditions

In this study, phosphate and chemical oxygen demand removals of medical waste sterilization plant wastewater were investigated and the Taguchi experimental method was used to determine optimum treatment conditions. In the scope of the study, four important factors influencing the phosphate and chemical oxygen demand removal namely initial pH, current density, initial wastewater concentration, and contact time were optimized. Results show that about 52 % of chemical oxygen demand removal has been obtained at optimum conditions. Also, phosphorus has been completely removed at optimum levels. In addition, analysis of variance shows that the biggest contribution ratio belongs to initial wastewater concentration on the electrocoagulation process efficiency. The contribution percentages of each factor in descending order are as follows: initial wastewater concentration (42.51 %) > pH (32.02 %) > current density (14.56 %) > contact time (6.64 %).