Iranian Journal of

---

Backgrounds and Objectives:Propylene glycol is applied in many industries as raw material and can be released to the environment through wastewater of such industries. The biological treatment of solutions containing high concentration of propylene glycol is difficult and some problems can be observed during this process. The main objective of this study was the investigation of electrochemical degradation of propylene glycol and the parameters influencing on improving removal efficiency.
Materials and Methods: In this study the degradation of propylene glycol was made by passing an electrical current though the synthetic wastewater containing propylene glycol. In order to investigate this process several types of electrode with applied voltage ranging between 5 to 50 V was used. Due to the effect of NaCl concentration on removal efficiency which was mentioned in the literature, the experiment was performed for different NaCl concentrations.
Results: In optimum condition, the maximum removal efficiency of propylene glycol (based onCOD) was obtained equal to 90%. The results showed that rising applied voltage, NaCl concentrationand retention time increase the removal efficiency. The optimum retention time was obtained equalto 50 min. The maximum removal was obtained when aluminum electrode was used. It can beattributed to the production of coagulant material such as Al+3 during this process.
Conclusion: The results revealed that this process can be useful for treating the industrial wastewatercontaining propylene glycol.

---

Background and Objectives: Cyanide is a highly toxic compound which is Normally found in numerous industries, such as electroplating wastewater. Release of this compounds in to the Enviroment has a lot health hazards.The Purpose of this study is to Determine the efficiency of electrochemical oxidation method for Cyanide removal from industrial wastewaters

Materials and Methods: This study conducted in a pilot system experimentally .In this study the effect of pH, voltage and operation time on total cyanide removal from industrial wastewaters by Electrochemical Oxidation was investigated by applying a Stainless Steel as a Anode and copper as a cathode .

Results: The average percentage removal of cyanide was about 88 with SD=2.43. The optimal condition obtained at voltage of 9V and pH=13 and The operation time of 90 minutes.The volume of sludge which formed in this condition was  about 20 percent of a one liter pilot reactor.

Conclusion: the results statistically confirmed the significant relationship between

input and cyanide concentration removal efficiency (p< 0.05), and confirmed  The this confirmed The  relation between cyanide & cyanat oxidation and hydroxyl ions consumption 1:2.( L.Szpyruowicz). therefore the best pH is 12.5-13.5 by Considering the need  of alkaline environment to remove cyanide.

---

MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: leachate from municipal solid waste landfill is a strong sewage having hazardous toxic substances. It should be treated by choosing a simple, economical, and eco-friendly method. The aim of this study is reduction of COD from the Qom City landfill leachate using electrocoagulation process.  
Materials and Methods: The experimental study was carried out at bench scale using a batch reactor during 2010.  We used a Plexiglas reactor having 0.7 liter capacity, containing nine plate aluminum electrodes connected to a DC power supply (10-60V, 1-5A). Samples were collected in the middle of cell at regular (every 10 minutes) time intervals. The concentration of COD was determined using a COD analyzer. The effects of different parameters including current density (52.08, 69.44 mA/cm²), electrolyte time (10, 20,30,40,50 and 60 min), and voltage range (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 volt) were investigated.
Results: For a voltage of 60 V and electrolysis time 60 min, the COD removal efficiency was increased from 48.7% for 52.08 mA/cm² to 77.4% for 69.44 mA/cm². The highest TSS removal efficiency was obtained at the largest current input when the voltage and electrolysis time were kept at 60V and 60 min respectively.
Conclusion: The results showed that the highest COD removal efficiency (77.4%) was obtained when the current density was 69.44 Ma/cm² and the voltage and electrolysis time were kept at 60V and 60 min respectively. Power consumption for this removal level was measured to be 431.26 kWh per kg COD removal. The results obtained revealed that the electrocoagulation technology is an effective treatment process for landfill leachate.

!mso]> ject classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui>

---

MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: Phenol is one of the most important organic chemicals presenting in water and other environments. It not only brings about hygienic problems but also results in forming 11 toxic priority pollutants in aqueous environments. Hence, the performance of electrocoagulation process using iron and aluminum sacrificial anodes was investigated for removal of phenol.
Materials and Methods: We used a glass tank in 1.56 L volume (effective volume 1 L) equipped with four iron and aluminum plate electrodes to do experiments (bipolar mode). The tank was filled with synthetic wastewater containing phenol in concentration of 5, 20, 40, and 70 mg/l and to follow the progress of the treatment, each sample was taken at 20 min intervals for up to 80 min. The percent of phenol removal was measured at pH 3, 5, 7, and 9 electrical potential range of 20, 40, and 60 volts and electrical conductivity of 1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000 µs/cm.
Results: It was found that the most effective removal capacities of phenol (95 and 98 %) could be achieved when the pH was kept 7 and 5 for iron and aluminum electrodes, reaction time  80 min, electrical conductivity 3000 µs/cm, initial concentration of phenol 5 mg/l, and electrical potential in the range of 20-60 V.
Conclusion: The method was found to be highly efficient and relatively fast compared with existing conventional techniques and also it can be concluded that the electrochemical process has the potential to be utilized for the cost-effective removal of phenol from water and wastewater.

---

Background and Objectives: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants in aquatic environments. These contaminants are generated through oil spills, manufactory processes, and industrial wastes or naturally through the incomplete combustion of coal, oil, gas, and wood waste. Most of these compounds are noted as carcinogenic and mutagenic. Therefore, detection of these pollutants by a sensitive and inexpensive method is very important. Materials and Methods: In this study, an electrochemical DNA biosensor was used to detect PAHs due to its sensitivity, ability, and high response rate. For this purpose, the bovine thymus double-stranded DNA was fixed on a screen-printed electrode. Then, the electrodes electrochemical behavior was investigated. This electrochemical DNA biosensor works upon the difference between the electrochemical response of guanine bases in DNA structure in the presence and absence of PAH compounds. To evaluate the biosensors performance, the response of biosensor to real samples was compared with conventional pollutant determination methods like liquid-liquid chromatography. Results: Optimum conditions were examined for biosensor response including effect of activation potential and time on electrode pretreatment, applied potential for DNA immobilization, and detection potential. Under optimal conditions, the pretreatment of the electrode obtained in 1.6 V for 350s, then the DNA was immobilized on the electrode surface by applying a potential of -0.5 V to detect different PAHs in real samples in the range of micro molar. Conclusion: Electrochemical DNA biosensors are capable of detecting the sum of PAHs in water samples with high accuracy, sensitivity, and low cost compared with chromatographic methods.