ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Reuse of Textile Wastewater After Treating
with Combined Process of Chemical Coagulation
and Electrocoagulation
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1
College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
2
Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Submission date: 2017-10-27
Final revision date: 2018-05-23
Acceptance date: 2018-06-03
Online publication date: 2019-03-05
Publication date: 2019-04-09
Corresponding author
Azhar Ali
College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan (54590), Office 19, College of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, 54590 Lahore, Pakistan
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(4):2565-2570
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ABSTRACT
The basic aim of our research was to reduce water consumption in the dying process in the textile
industry. This study evaluated the treatment efficiency of combined process of chemical coagulation
and electrocoagulation on the synthetically produced dyes C.I. Reactive Yellow 145 and C.I Reactive
Red 194. The wash-off liquor generated during the dyeing process was decolorized by adding a mixture
of alum and chitosan, followed by electrocoagulation and reused for the wash-off of dyes. Fabric color
was analyzed by wash fastness, rubbing and crocking experiments. The combined treatment process
was proven to be very effective in decolorizing both dyes by 99.1% and 96.15%. The color difference
values of standard (dyed in fresh water) and batch samples for both dyes were 0.53 and 0.35, which is
within the acceptable limit (≤1.0). The wash fastness test indicated a range of 4-5 for both standards
and batch samples. In the case of water quality parameters, a decrease in pH values was observed after
treatment; however, an increasing trend was seen in cases of COD, TDS and EC. While these parameters
do not affect the color of the fabric in dying process, this study concludes that the combined treatment
of chemical and electrocoagulation is very efficient for decolorizing dye wastewater. Reuse of treated
wash-off wastewater is suitable not only for reducing water consumption but also reducing wastewater
generation in the textile industry. Hence this treatment option will improve overall water efficiency of
the textile industry.