TREATEMENT OF OLIVE MILL WASTEWATER USING ELECTROCOAGULATION PROCESS

Olives mill waste water resulting from the extraction of olive oil are the major problem of olive growing because of their polluting power (rich in organic and mineral matter) and their acid pH. The aim of this study is to treat these margins electrochemically in an aluminum electrode reactor, in order to oxidize the organic matter, discolour the margins, neutralize the pH and consequently reduce the pollutant power of this product. After this study, it was found that the increase in electrolysis time and the intensity of the current significantly improved the treatment. However, simultaneous energy consumption and electrodes were observed. The results of these analyzes showed that thirty-fold diluted margins are effluents at acid pH (5.02), Conductivity (14.89).The evolution of the physicochemical parameters during the electrocoagulation (EC) treatment shows that under the conditions of an electrolysis time of 3 h and a current intensity of 3A (corresponds to 416 A.m-2), the discoloration Of the margins diluted ten times is between 91%, the reduction of the lost mass of the electrodes is 0.55 kg.m-3 and the reduction of the COD is 50%. These optimal operational levels allow a good degradation of the effects of margins. The results have established good potentiality for the electrocoagulation to be used as a method for the removal of phenol from wastewater