Ayurvedic hospital wastewater degradation using electrochemical treatment

The goal of this research was to remove COD, oil and grease (O&G), and color from raw ayurvedic hospital wastewater using novel electrochemical coagulation (FCC) process. Cell voltage was initially optimized using iron electrodes in bipolar mode for both raw ayurvedic hospital wastewater (AHWW) and ayurvedic hospital therapy room wastewater (AH-TRWW) for a pre-optimized electrolysis time (ED of 60 min. O&G, COD and color removals for AHWW at 8 V optimized cell voltage were 96, 61 and 96% respectively. Different electrode materials copper, aluminum, graphite were used to evaluate relative performances at 8 V. Iron electrodes showed maximum pollutant removal from raw AHWW. The sludge obtained after the FCC process showed good settling and filterability properties compared to graphite and aluminum electrodes. Low SVI values of 146 mL/g was obtained exercising absolute control on sludge volume. Solids flux values showed assurances of compact settling tank design with least spatial footprint. EDX analysis for FCC sludge of AHWW using iron showed gross elements 40.19% C, 48.63% O and 7.92% Fe redefining fate of sludge. XRD pattern of the FCC sludge showed amorphous nature. Post FCC filtration effluent showed clear water reclamation of 80-82% proving the effectiveness of the novel FCC treatment process.