Surfactants are commonly used in various industrial and household applications such as personal care, laundry detergents, and cleaning products. However, their widespread use also results in their release into the environment, causing pollution and potential health hazards. One of the most commonly used surfactants is Linear Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate (LAS), which has been found to be persistent in the environment and harmful to aquatic life. Therefore, effective methods for removing LAS from wastewater are essential.
A recent study has evaluated the effectiveness of a hybrid electrocoagulation/flotation and photocatalytic nano-TiO2 slurry system for removing LAS from wastewater. Electrocoagulation/flotation, which involves passing an electric current through the wastewater to generate coagulating agents that remove contaminants, was combined with photocatalytic degradation using nano-TiO2 to achieve efficient removal of LAS.
The study investigated and optimized the parameters affecting the removal of LAS, including pH, electrodes distance, initial LAS concentration, and nano-TiO2 particles concentration. Results showed that after 60 minutes at pH 8, 1 cm electrode distance, and initial LAS concentration of 750 mg/L, LAS and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal rates of 93.54% and 90%, respectively, were achieved using electrocoagulation/flotation.
On the other hand, photocatalytic degradation using nano-TiO2 resulted in LAS and COD removal rates of 98.7% and 95%, respectively, during 48 hours at pH 8, initial LAS concentration of 300 mg/L, and nano-TiO2 particles concentration of 0.5 mg/L.
The hybrid system involved transferring the treated wastewater from the electrocoagulation/flotation system to the photocatalytic degradation system after 12 minutes, resulting in LAS concentration reaching 329 mg/L. The photocatalytic system removed almost all of the remaining LAS and COD, with removal efficiencies of 99% and 96.27%, respectively. The hybrid system was found to improve the removal efficiency compared to the single systems.
This study demonstrates the potential of combining electrocoagulation/flotation and photocatalytic degradation using nano-TiO2 for efficient removal of LAS from wastewater. The hybrid system can also be optimized for other surfactants or contaminants, making it a promising approach for wastewater treatment.
In conclusion, the proper treatment of industrial and municipal wastewaters is essential to reduce the level of pollutants that are discharged into the environment. The study conducted on the removal of LAS from wastewater demonstrated a promising method that combines electrocoagulation/flotation and photocatalytic degradation using nano-TiO2. The hybrid system proved to be more efficient in removing LAS from waste compared to single systems. By optimizing the parameters, the system can be applied to treat other pollutants present in wastewater, allowing for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to wastewater treatment.