Abstract:

Two methods of Reactive Black 5 dye removal were compared in this work, namely electrocoagulation (EC) and one based on spontaneous electrochemical oxidation of zero-valent iron (ZVI). Both methods are based on electrode processes and the sorption process and allow to achieve a similar effectiveness of dye removal. In the case of ZVI, however, a longer contact time or a greater surface area of the electrodes applied is necessary. In turn, the ZVI enables to conduct the processes of dye removal with no requirement for an external source of electric current (lower exploitation inputs). The study demonstrated that the application of both the ZVI method and EC is especially advisable in the case of lower initial concentrations of dye in the solution, i.e. the higher the concentration, the lower the contribution of electrode processes in dye removal from the solution and the greater the contribution of sorption processes.