Electrocoagulation technique for the removal of reactive red 3-BX dye from wastewater

Electrocoagulation has been used for the removal of color from solution containing reactive red 3-BX dye. The effect of electrolysis time, current density, initial dye concentration, initial pH, sodium chloride concentration, temperature and material of electrode on the rate of dye removal have been studied. It was found that the percent color removal increases by increasing electrolysis time, current density, sodium chloride concentration, initial pH and temperature and decreases by increasing initial dye concentration. Iron anode was found to be superior to aluminum anode in removing the dye. Calculations show that energy consumption ranges from 0.7 to 80 kWh/Kg dye removed depending on the operating conditions. © Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt.