Abstract:

By combined electrocatalysis and adsorption method the degradation of wastewater containing phenol was investigated. The influences of current intensity on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD_Cr), average current efficiency and energy consumption were studied. The results showed that high current density was favorable for removal of COD_Cr. Considering the average current efficiency and energy consumption, current of 0.6A was chosen to be the suitable current intensity. Electrolyte could remarkably affect the removal of phenol. NaCl exhibited more significant promotion on COD_Cr removal than Na₂SO₄. Activated carbon fiber, based on its adsorption and electrochemical character, was used as cathode material to degrade the phenol. It was found that the removal rate of COD_Cr could reach 90% after 10min treatment by the combination of adsorption and electrocatalysis. The adsorption equilibrium of phenol on activated carbon fiber was coincident with Freundlich isotherm. A kinetic model for COD_Cr removal was established based on the adsorption and electrocatalysis process. The agreement of model prediction and the experimental data was well. The parameter predicted from the kinetic model showed that the adsorption process made more contribution to COD_Cr removal than electrocatalysis.