Investigation of Electrocoagulation Process for Efficient Removal of Bisphenol A from the Aqueous Environment: Promising Treatment Strategy

Introduction: Endocrine disruptive compounds as a class of organic contaminants in the aquatic environment received severe attention in the last decades. The release of bisphenol A (BPA) as a hazardous organic chemical into the environment has caused high health and environmental concerns. Therefore, its removal from aquatic environments is strongly recommended. The present study deals with BPA removal efficiency from an aqueous environment using the electrocoagulation process (ECP). Materials and Methods: The effects of parameters including BPA concentration (۱-۱۰ mg L-۱), current density (۳-۱۵ mA cm-۲), pH (۴-۱۰), and reaction time (۵-۳۰ min) on the treatment process were investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed for optimization of the ECP. The significance of the developed model was investigated by the obtained F-value and P-value. Results: The maximum BPA removal of ۹۸.۲% was attained at pH of ۸.۵, BPA concentration of ۳.۲۵ mg L-۱, the current density of ۱۲.۰ mA cm-۲, and reaction time of ۲۳ min. The significance of the developed model was confirmed by the high F-value of ۴۶.۶۹ and the very low P-value of < ۰.۰۰۰۱. Furthermore, the electrical energy consumption of the process was found to be ۰.۳۰۸ kWh m-۳ in the optimum condition. Conclusion: The obtained experimental results revealed that the co-precipitation and the adsorption process through the electrostatic interactions as the main removal mechanisms controlled the treatment process.

Keywords:

Bisphenol A , Electrocoagulation Process , Aqueous Environment , Response Surface Methodology , Treatment.