This study aimed to evaluate car wash wastewater and explore the potential application of sedimentation and sono-electrocoagulation (SEC) as a hybrid physicochemical process to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD). Wastewater was collected from various car wash stations, its quality was assessed, and the influence of different operational factors on COD reduction was evaluated. Analyzing the physicochemical properties of wastewater samples from car wash stations demonstrates that the average pH value is 7.92, which adheres to EPA guidelines. However, the electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), and turbidity levels surpass the standards. COD levels are close to municipal wastewater, with high microbial colonies detected. The average number of cars washed in each car wash was 20 units/day, consuming 120 L of water. A daily amount of 259.2 m3 of wastewater is produced at car wash centers in this region, with COD and TSS pollution loads of 54.06 and 104.76 kg/year, respectively. This wastewater is directed to the municipal sewer collection system. The maximum removal of COD was achieved at 89.57 % in a 7.5 pH, 1.2 cm aluminum inter-electrode distance, 25 V of current density, and 45 min of electrolysis time, using sedimentation and SEC as a hybrid process. The results of this study demonstrated that the hybrid process significantly reduces the COD levels in car wash wastewater. This approach exhibits high efficiency in pollution removal and substantially reduces operational costs, aligning with global efforts to increase water-use efficiency and contributing to SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Assessing pollution levels and implementing eco-friendly hybrid sedimentation and sono-electrocoagulation for car wash wastewater treatment
Bontempi E.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate car wash wastewater and explore the potential application of sedimentation and sono-electrocoagulation (SEC) as a hybrid physicochemical process to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD). Wastewater was collected from various car wash stations, its quality was assessed, and the influence of different operational factors on COD reduction was evaluated. Analyzing the physicochemical properties of wastewater samples from car wash stations demonstrates that the average pH value is 7.92, which adheres to EPA guidelines. However, the electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), and turbidity levels surpass the standards. COD levels are close to municipal wastewater, with high microbial colonies detected. The average number of cars washed in each car wash was 20 units/day, consuming 120 L of water. A daily amount of 259.2 m3 of wastewater is produced at car wash centers in this region, with COD and TSS pollution loads of 54.06 and 104.76 kg/year, respectively. This wastewater is directed to the municipal sewer collection system. The maximum removal of COD was achieved at 89.57 % in a 7.5 pH, 1.2 cm aluminum inter-electrode distance, 25 V of current density, and 45 min of electrolysis time, using sedimentation and SEC as a hybrid process. The results of this study demonstrated that the hybrid process significantly reduces the COD levels in car wash wastewater. This approach exhibits high efficiency in pollution removal and substantially reduces operational costs, aligning with global efforts to increase water-use efficiency and contributing to SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
