Optimization of process parameters in electrocoagulation treating chicken industry wastewater to recover hydrogen gas with pollutant reduction

Electrocoagulation process (EC) was performed in an upflow blanket reactor (UBR) applying response surface methodology (RSM) based on the Box–Behnken design (BBD) to produce hydrogen gas and reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD) from chicken industry wastewater. The results showed that RSM based on the BBD was a well-matched method for optimizing of EC to treat chicken industry wastewater. The independent variables such as current density, hydraulic retention time, and electrode surface area of EC process were investigated. Under the optimum conditions such as current density of 15 A/m2, hydraulic retention time of 30 min and electrode surface area of 5 m2 resulted in maximum hydrogen gas production (0.8 mL/L) and COD reduction (99%).