Continuous electrochemical reactor improved by the addition of Moringa oleífera lam extract: optimization of operational conditions for Blue 5G dye removal

Abstract

Wastewaters from textile industries are known for their difficulty to treat, several alternative technologies are applied for their treatment. In this context, the study examined a hybrid treatment system, composed of electrocoagulation combined with a natural coagulant (extract of Moringa oleífera lam seeds) to remove reactive dye Blue 5G aqueous solutions. The work evaluated the use of milder operating conditions to improve the efficiency of treatment, with reduced demands for electrical power and coagulant.  The following factors were evaluated: electric current intensity, natural coagulant concentration and hydraulic retention time. A quadratic model was adjusted and validated at a 5% significance level. The overall optimization resulted in conditions of 0.28 A for electrical current intensity, 1000.00 mg L^-1 of aqueous extract of Moringa oleífera lam and 5 min for hydraulic retention time. While operating under optimal conditions, the removal of 71.38% of color and 5.22 mg L^-1 of iron residual concentration was achieved.