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Application of Electrochemical Degradation of Wastewater Composed of Mixtures of Phenol–Formaldehyde

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Abstract

The industrial wastewater from resin production plants contains as major components phenol and formaldehyde, which are traditionally treated by biological methods. As a possible alternative method, electrochemical treatment was tested using solutions containing a mixture of phenol and formaldehyde simulating an industrial effluent. The anode used was a dimensionally stable anode (DSA®) of nominal composition Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2, and the solution composition during the degradation process was analyzed by liquid chromatography and the removal of total organic carbon. From cyclic voltammetry, it is observed that for formaldehyde, a small offset of the beginning of the oxygen evolution reaction occurs, but for phenol, the reaction is inhibited and the current density decreases. From the electrochemical degradations, it was determined that 40 mA cm−2 is the most efficient current density and the comparison of different supporting electrolytes (Na2SO4, NaNO3, and NaCl) indicated a higher removal of total organic carbon in NaCl medium.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank De Nora (Brazil) for DSA samples and the financial support from Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, P.O. Box 780, São Carlos, São Paulo, CEP 13560-970, Brazil

    Ana Luiza T. Fornazari, Douglas W. Miwa & Artur J. Motheo

  2. Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto de Ciências Tecnológicas e Exatas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Avenida Doutor Randolfo Borges Júnior, 1250, Universidade, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, CEP: 38064-200, Brazil

    Geoffroy R. P. Malpass

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  1. Ana Luiza T. Fornazari
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  2. Geoffroy R. P. Malpass
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  3. Douglas W. Miwa
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  4. Artur J. Motheo
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Correspondence to Artur J. Motheo.

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Fornazari, A.L.T., Malpass, G.R.P., Miwa, D.W. et al. Application of Electrochemical Degradation of Wastewater Composed of Mixtures of Phenol–Formaldehyde. Water Air Soil Pollut 223, 4895–4904 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1245-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1245-y

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