RISE Student Research Grant Proposal

Part A: Project Proposal Summary

A.1 Proposed title

A comparative study on the degradation of the textile dye and methyl orange dye using Fe and
Al electrode: optimization and kinetics

A.2 Research area

Electrocoagulation, effluent treatment, flocculant and sediment characterization

A.3 Research summary

Textiles industries are one of the industries that pollutes the environment most among all
industrial sectors in Bangladesh. In the recent years, electrocoagulation (EC) technique
gained immense attention due to its efficiency. This technique works by dissolution of the
sacrificial anodes that yield an active metal hydroxide as a powerful coagulant that destabilizes
and accumulates particles, which are subsequently removed by precipitation or adsorption. This
study will try to investigate different aspects of EC process in the field of textile wastewater
treatment. Fe and Al electrodes are to be used in monopolar-parallel connection placed
vertically in a PVC transparent sheet to carry out the study. The wastewater solutions should
be added to the electrolytic cell, where the electrocoagulation process will begin. The solution
will be filtered, and the filtrate is to be examined after the run. The Characterization of the
textile effluent by measuring the parameters (COD, TOC, TSS conductivity, turbidity, pH)
followed by treating it using two different electrodes (Fe and Al) where degradation of textile
dye and model dye mixture (methyl orange) would be compared as well as the flocculant and
the sediment characterization using XRD, SEM-EDX and FTIR analysis is our research goal.

A.5 Project duration (in months) 12 months

A.6 Total project cost (in BDT) 1,15,362 BDT

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Part B: Research Project Details

B.2 Specific objectives

The main objective of this research work is to investigate the characterization the textile wastewater
and treatment process by electrocoagulation (EC) process. The specific aims that scheduled to cover
are listed below:
• Comparative study on the influence of different parameters such as applied current density,
electrodes material (Fe and Al), pH, conductivity of the solution, concentration of the dye
and mixing state.
• Characterization of the sediment and the flocculant obtained after electrocoagulation
• Optimization and kinetics study on the degradation of textile dye and model dye mixture
(methyl orange dye)
• Cost analysis of EC process

B.3 Expected outcomes

By the end of this research, there are some outcomes that are expected. Main outcome of this thesis
is the realistic understanding of the phenomena of EC technology in the field of textile wastewater
treatment. It may help change the concept of wastewater treatment process of Bangladeshi textile
industry. Comparisons between conventional treatment technology and EC process in the
perspective of textile industry are also expected to come in light at the end of this research. Effects
of parameters on the EC process can also be observed. Optimization of the EC cell and the modelling
of this process are also the expected outcomes. Finally, when this research ends, it is expected that
there will be room for further investigations and the suggestions will be discussed.

B.5 Methodology

B.5.1 Materials
The wastewater is to be obtained from a textile factory in Bangladesh. The wastewater will be first
screen filtered to remove large, suspended solids before being used for the subsequent studies.

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B.5.2 Experimental apparatus and procedure
The studies will be carried out in a square, open, undivided cell built of of 5 mm PVC transparent
sheet having a cross section of 14.8×14.8 cm2 having a volume of 4 L. All the experiments will be
conducted at room temperature (around 30 ºC) and four Fe electrodes (SS304 sheet) having
dimensions of 13 cm × 9 cm × 0.15 cm are to be used in monopolar-parallel (MP-P) connection
having a total surface area of 930 cm2 placed vertically. The electrodes will be scrubbed with steel
wool before each experiment, and then they are to be successively washed with tap water and
distilled water. All experiments to be conducted for sample solutions having an immersion of 75%
of the total electrode surface area. A stirred condition of 150 rpm by using a magnetic stirrer is to
be there always and ‘Dazheng DC Power Supply’ converter having capacity of 5 A and 33 V will
be used for power supply. Additional transitional salt (Fe2+, Fe3+) and additional coagulant aid
(polyacrylamide) would be used in the process.

In a typical run, the wastewater solutions is to be placed into the electrolytic cell in which the
electrocoagulation being started at electrostatic operational mode. At the end of the run, the solution
will be filtered and the filtrate to be analyzed. The electrodes were then washed thoroughly with
water to remove any solid residues on the surfaces, dried and reweighted.

B.5.3 Analytical method

COD measurements will be determined according to the Standard Methods for Examination of
Water and Wastewater (APHA, 2017). The COD samples to be analyzed using a ‘HACH DR 6000’
spectrophotometer. The pH is to be measured with a pH indicator paper. The pH and conductivity
are to be adjusted to a desirable value using 40% NaOH or 40% H2SO4. The flocculant and sediment
would be characterized using SEM-EDX, FTIR and XRD analysis.

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Part C: Proposed Grant Amount summary

(Detail budget must be submitted in a separate file.)

C.1 Proposed grant amount details

SN Budget description Total amount
(BDT)
(i) Resources 113,100
(ii) Miscellaneous 2,262
(iii) Incentive (maximum BDT 30,000) 30,000
Grand total amount (i+ii+iii) 115,362
(in words) One lac fifteen thousand three hundred and sixty two taka only

Part D: Student Details

D.1 Applicant-1
Name Abu Talha
Department Chemical Engineering
Email address 1702031@che.buet.ac.bd
Contact no. 01535230454
Research experience

D.2 Applicant-2

Name Md Mehraj Hossain Ohi

Department Chemical Engineering
Email address 1702038@che.buet.ac.bd
Contact No. 01637560543
Research experience