ELECTROCHEMICAL TREATMENT OF AN AQUEOUS PALIMITIC ACID EMULSION BY MEANS OF AN IRON MODIFIED GRAPHITE FELT ELECTRODE

Abstract

In the present study we propose the use of graphitic felt anodes coated with iron to control electrochemically the amount of coagulating agent, in the form of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) pair, which is introduced into the aqueous phase. At the same time, this pair helps catalyze the electro-Fenton process while H2O2 is generated cathodically. Here are reported the conditions to modify cathodically the graphite felt surface, as well as its characterization by SEM-EDS microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This material is then used as an anode that acts as a source for the Fe(II)/Fe(III) pair, while an unmodified felt acts as a H2O2 generator. Under these conditions, by means of permanganometry, the H2O2 content produced in function of time is quantified. Finally, the graphite felt was applied in the electrochemical treatment of synthetic emulsions of palmitic acid stabilized in aqueous medium, applying current densities in the range of 5 - 20 mA/cm2, achieving a significant reduction in the levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD) ) and nephelometric turbidity (NTU) by almost 75% and 90%, respectively, in about 30 minutes.