Optimization and Operational Analysis of Domestic Greywater Treatment by Electrocoagulation Filtration Using Response Surface Methodology

Khalid Ansari, Avinash Shrikhande, Mohammad Abdul Malik, Ahmad Aziz Alahmadi, Mamdooh Alwetaishi, Ali Nasser Alzaed and Ahmed Elbeltagi
Additional contact information
Khalid Ansari: Department of Civil Engineering, Kavikulguru Institute of Technology and Science, Ramtek 441106, India
Avinash Shrikhande: Department of Civil Engineering, Kavikulguru Institute of Technology and Science, Ramtek 441106, India
Mohammad Abdul Malik: Engineering Management Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Aziz Alahmadi: Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Mamdooh Alwetaishi: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Ali Nasser Alzaed: Department of Architecture Engineering, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Elbeltagi: Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-18

Abstract: Greywater is the most sustainable option to address the growing need for fresh water. This study aimed to identify the optimal operation variables of an electro-coagulation filtration (ECF) system for treating domestic greywater, using different conditions (e.g., different electrode combinations (Al-Fe-Al-Fe), initial pH (6.8–8.4), operating time (10–60 min), and voltage (6–24 volts)). A statistical data analysis was performed to evaluate the experimental conditions for modeling the chemical oxygen demand (COD), the total dissolved solids (TDSs), turbidity, and chloride removal effectiveness, almost ranging from (85 to 94%), respectively, with energy consumption using the response surface methodology (RSM) and the ANOVA test. When comparing the experimental and predicted model values, it was proved that the model fairly describes the experimental values with the R 2 values determined >0.99 for COD, TDSs, turbidity, chloride, and energy consumption, suggesting a regression sustainability of the model. The sludge properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and FTIR spectroscopy, which indicated the removal of organic matter during the ECF, similar in composition, independently of the different applied voltage values used. The results of this study suggest the ECF significantly reduces the pollutants load in greywater, showing the aluminum-iron-based electrodes as a viable option to treat greywater with optimal operational costs ranging from (0.12 to 0.4) US$ m −3 under different voltage conditions and parameters. This study establishes a path for greywater treatment technology that is economical and environmentally responsible for wastewater management that leads to sustainability.

Keywords: electrocoagulation; greywater; filtration; operational cost; ANOVA test; optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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