Intensified treatment of kitchen wastewater in a filter- press type electrochemical reactor

Commercial kitchen wastewater (KW), characterized by a high load of bio-refractory organics, can be effectively treated by electrochemical methods for non-potable applications. This work explores the electrochemical degradation of KW in a batch recirculation type flow reactor consisting of mixed metal oxides coated titanium mesh anode and stainless steel cathode. The effect of operating factors such as current density, supporting electrolyte concentration, initial pH, and recirculation flow rate on chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction was examined by following one-factor-at-a-time method. The %COD reduction increased with an increase in electrolyte concentration and current density. The optimum current density and electrolyte concentration were found to be 2 A/dm2 and 2 g/L, respectively. The treatment was intensified by incorporating mechanical stirring and ultrasound irradiation in the reservoir. The results showed about 99 % COD reduction, and the kinetic model proposed predicted the experimental data satisfactorily.