Degradation of Dye Wastewater using Electrocoagulation Method

Abstract We conducted a study on the degradation of dye wastewater (Wantex) using the electrocoagulation technique with four aluminum plates as electrodes. We investigated how varying the time, voltage, and electrode spacing affected the efficiency of color removal. The electrocoagulation process lasted 420 minutes (7 hours), with samples collected every 30 minutes. The voltage was maintained at 12 V, and the electrode spacing was adjusted to 1, 2, and 3 cm. Wantex solutions with concentrations of 2.67%, 3.33%, and 4% (w/v) were prepared by dissolving 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 g of dye in 1 L of distilled water. Our analysis revealed a dye degradation rate of 99.89% under optimal conditions—12 V and 1 cm spacing at the 3rd hour, with a pH of 7.79, which complies with government safety standards. Compared to previous research, our study achieved a higher degradation rate, highlighting the potential of electrocoagulation as a cost-effective and eco-friendly method for treating textile industry wastewater.