Removal of hydroquinone from water by electrocoagulation using flow cell and optimization by response surface methodology

In this study, hydroquinone was removed from water by electrocoagulation using flow electrolyzer in mono polar and bipolar configurations in a batch recirculation mode of operation. Treatment performances of such effluents have been evaluated in terms of chemical oxygen demand removal. The effect of important operating parameters such as current density, flow rate, concentration of hydroquinone and supporting electrolyte on the pollutant removal and energy consumption is critically evaluated. The experimental data were analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). Maximum COD removal in monopolar configuration of 80.95% was noticed at condition of supporting electrolyte concentration 2.67 g L-1, flow rate 27 mL min(-1), current density 0.7 A dm(-2) at energy consumption of 2.36 kWh per kg of COD for the 1000 mg L-1 of hydroquinone concentration. In the case of bipolar configuration a maximum COD removal of 87.13 was noticed at: supporting electrolyte concentration 4 g L-1, flow rate 29.15 mL min(-1), current density 1 Adm(-2) at energy consumption of 8.495 kWh per kg of COD for the same hydroquinone concentration.