# Optimizing Electrocoagulation for Textile Effluent Treatment: Operational Efficiency and Environmental Assessment of Remazol Red Dye Removal

## TL;DR

This study shows that electrocoagulation is an effective and sustainable method for removing Remazol Red dye from textile wastewater, achieving high removal rates and producing recoverable byproducts.

## Contribution

The study introduces an optimized electrocoagulation process combined with dissolved air flotation for efficient dye removal and resource recovery from textile effluents.

## Key findings

- Electrocoagulation achieved over 95% Remazol Red dye removal under optimized conditions.
- Treated samples showed no detectable dye even at high concentrations.
- Sludge analysis revealed aluminum oxyhydroxide formation, recoverable as aluminum oxide at high temperatures.

## Abstract

The discharge of textile industrial effluents is a major
environmental
concern due to their high volume and complex composition. Electrocoagulation
(EC) has emerged as a cost-effective, energy-efficient treatment,
especially when powered by clean energy. This study optimized standalone
EC and its combination with dissolved air flotation (DAF) for treating
synthetic effluents containing Remazol Red dye. Fractional factorial
and central composite rotational designs were used to optimize potential
difference, number and spacing of aluminum electrode pairs, treatment
time, initial pH, and dye concentration. EC achieved >98% dye removal
under initial conditions and >95% under the optimized model, which
showed strong predictive accuracy. No dye was detected in treated
samples by HPLC even at high concentrations, and complete removal
occurred at lower levels. Energy consumption averaged 4.70 kWh·m–3. Sludge generated under optimal conditions was characterized
by XRD, FTIR, TGA, and AAS, indicating aluminum oxyhydroxide formation,
with potential conversion to aluminum oxide above 293 °C. Results
support EC as a viable, sustainable strategy for textile wastewater
treatment and resource recovery.