Scalability and Performance of Iron–Carbon Micro-Electrolysis with Hydrogen Peroxide for Textile Wastewater Treatment

This study assesses iron–carbon micro-electrolysis coupled with hydrogen peroxide for removing organic pollutants from secondary sedimentation tank effluent. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 11 major pollutants, with thiophene and palmitic acid being predominant, contributing significantly to the chemical oxygen demand (COD) due to their stability and molecular sizes. Iron–carbon micro-electrolysis showed notable degradation of thiophene and indole, though it was less effective for other organics. The combined process enhanced the degradation efficiency, hydrolyzing >85% of esters into less toxic alcohols, yet palmitic acid remained largely undegraded. The combined treatment process (influent pH 3.5, H2O2 dose 170 mg/L) improved degradation, converting most esters to alcohols and reducing environmental impacts, yet palmitic acid remained largely undegraded. A 35-day pilot test under optimal conditions achieved an average COD removal rate of 57%. The study concludes that the combined process has potential for complex pollutant degradation but requires further optimization for better efficiency.